[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]May Day (Labour Day) is a celebration that honours workers’ contributions and sacrifices to society. Labour Day, also known as International Workers Day, is observed every year on 1 May to uphold the constitutional rights of the labour working class. This year May Day 2023 will be celebrated on 1 May, Monday, to recognise the labourers and the working class for their contribution to the society and economy.
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When is May Day/Labour Day in 2023?
Labour Day 2023 in India will be celebrated on 1st may, a day to recognise the efforts and hardwork of all the working class people and labourers who have worked to improve the economy and cater to the needs of the people and the system in general.
Significance of Labour day (May Day)
It is observed globally on May 1 every year. The day spreads awareness about workers’ rights and also recognises their accomplishments. Labour Day or May Day has different origin stories in different countries. But the common thing is that the day focuses on the achievements and contributions of workers. It spread awareness about the rights and opportunities of every Labour which they should get for their welfare and betterment.
As we know that labour is the part of society on which all economic advancement rests. Even in the mechanical era of the present time, the importance of labour is not decreased. For example, in industry, trade, agriculture, construction of buildings, bridges and roads etc. contribution of labour plays a crucial role. So, we can say that labour is the aggregation of all human physical and mental effort used in the creation of goods and services. It is the primary factor for production.
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How is International Labour Day celebrated?
There is an official holiday in various countries in the world on International Labour Day or May Day or Labour Day to celebrate the accomplishment of workers. Lots of programmes and celebrations are organised on this day. Various banners and flags were also decorated by labourers of different colours. To increase the social awareness among people various news and messages are distributed by the TV and radio channels by saying Happy Labour Day.
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History of Labour Day in India
India’s very first Labour Day celebration was held on May 1, 1923, in Madras (Chennai). The Hindustan Labour Kisan Party was founded on this day by Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar, one of the leaders of the Communist Party of India and a champion of workers’ rights. On that day, he called for two worker’s meetings to be held in Madras- one was held at Marina Beach opposite Madras High Court and the other was held in Triplicane.
On this day the red flag, which popularly represents the working class, was raised in India for the first time. The Victory of the Labour Statue (popularly called the Statue of Labour) stands tall on Chennai’s Marina Beach – a great reminder of the country’s first Labor Day celebration.
Basically, the Labour Day history dates back from May 1, 1886. On this US labor unions voted to go on a strike with an urge that employees should not be a force to work more than 8 hours a day. Following the strike a bomb was exploded on 4 May in Chicago’s Haymarket Square, killing numerous residents and police officers.
Exclusively dedicated to workers, this day has its root in the US labour movement. 1 May 1886 marked the historical movement where numerous labour unions in the USA went on strike to protest against miserable working conditions. They demanded an eight-hour working system. Even if working hours are increased, the management must pay additional compensation in addition to regular wages. To bring this revolutionary change in working laws, on 4 May, a bomb was thrown by revolutionists, leading to the deaths and injury of hundreds of people.
Although there was no immediate change due to this protest, the eight-hour working day soon became the ultimate norm in many countries worldwide. Also, as per the law, workers should only be asked to work 8 hours daily. In this regard, this day was chosen for speeches, demonstrations, and parades. It is a significant public holiday in the United States, Russia, India, and other countries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
