“A worker is a creator and a great asset to every nation.”
Labour Day or International Workers Day is celebrated annually on 1 May to celebrate the working class and labourers across the world. Before a formal Labour Day came into place, deaths, injuries, and dangerous working conditions were very common among the working class globally. During the rise of industrialisation, the US exploited the working class during the 19th century and made them work up to 15 hours a day under rigorous conditions. The rising death of the workforce in industries forced the working class to raise their voice for their safety. After efforts made by the workers and socialists, eight hours was declared as the legal time for the workers in the national convention at Chicago in the late 19th century by the American Federation of Labour.
The Labour Day originated from the Labour Union Movement, specifically this eight-hour day movement, which supported eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. This day has been an important point for demonstrations by various socialist, communist, and anarchist groups for long. Labour Day is also observed as a public holiday in many countries such as Bangladesh, Cuba, China, Germany, etc.
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF LABOUR DAY
Most countries have different origin stories to mark International Workers Day. But the common idea has always been the laborers taking a stand against the exploitation they were subjected to.
The most popular story associated with the origin of Labour Day goes back to an incident in Chicago on May 4, 1886, known as the Haymarket Affair or the Haymarket Massacre. On this day workers assembled as part of a peaceful rally in a strike demanding an eight-hourwork day. An unknown person threw a dynamite bomb at the police as they acted to disperse the meeting. The bomb blast and ensuing gunfire resulted in the deaths of seven police officers and at least four civilians; dozens of others were wounded and the rally ended in riots.
Scholar of labour studies William J. Adelman states about the Haymarket Affair: “No single event has influenced the history of labour in Illinois, the United States, and even the world, more than the Chicago Haymarket Affair. It began with a rally on May 4, 1886, but the consequences are still being felt today.”
These protests led to many countries, including India, following an eight-hour workday.
ORGANSIATION THAT DECLARED LABOUR DAY
Crop failure in the 1840s led to widespread anti-feudal upheavals called ‘The Revolutions of 1848’. As a result, the International Workingmen’s Association, known as the First International, was born in 1864 as an umbrella association for all socialist and communist organisations, at a workers’ congregation in London.
After the First International dissolved in 1876 over an ideological rift, the Second International emerged in 1889 as a united outfit of socialist and labour parties. It was this organisation that declared May 1 as International Workers’ Day and March 8 as International Women’s Day.
ORIGIN IN INDIA
The first Labour Day in India was celebrated on 1 May 1923, in Chennai. It was organised by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan. Led by Singaravelar, leader of the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan, two meetings were held, one at Triplicane Beach and one near the Madras High Court. It was at these meetings that a resolution was passed urging the British government to declare May 1 as Labour Day and also a government holiday. It was the first occasion in India on which the red flag of labour movement was used.
CELEBRATIONS OF LABOUR DAY
International Labour Organisation (ILO) is a part of the United Nations Organisation that works towards improving the working and living standards of workers all over the world. On 1 May every year, the ILO conducts rallies and marches across the world to create awareness about issues like forced labour, minimum wage law, and rights of migrant workers.
“Let’s celebrate the labour
that builds up this great land
from field to field to desk to desk
they built it hand in hand”
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