Labour Day 2019: Why May 1 is Considered as ‘International Workers Day’, Know Importance, Significance
Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day or May day in some places and often referred to as May Day is a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement which occurs every year on 1st May. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement in the US in the 19th century when the industrialists used to exploit the labour class and made them work up to 15 hours a day. The workers rose against this exploitation and demanded paid leaves, proper wages and breaks for the workforce.
Amidst increasing vulnerabilities, the workers in America in the last decades of the nineteenth century organised themselves for eight hours of works a day. They also demanded eight hours of sleep and eight hours of recreation in their lives.
In India, the celebration of the day is intertwined with the anti-imperialist movement. The first May Day celebration was organised by Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan in 1923. This was the first time when red flags were unfurled in the country. Its leader Singaravelu Chettiar conducted ‘May Day’ celebrations on the beach opposite Madras High court along with Triplicane beach. The day is also observed as Kamgar Din (Hindi), Kamgar Divas (Marathi) and Uzhaipalar Dinam (Tamil), the ‘Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas’.
People from all across the world are tweeting about Labour Day and wishing ‘Happy Labour Day’. Check here:
#LabourDay is a day to honour the labour, to respect their hard work and contribution to nation-building that motivates others to work the same way. #MayDay pic.twitter.com/pNpfBrPKRH
— Nikhil (@nikhil________) May 1, 2019
Happy international labour day####MayDay
I like the way of communisom attitude###
I hope that will came in future### pic.twitter.com/iy9BxfCCOB— Rajadharani@pspk (@Rajadharanipsp1) May 1, 2019
There is no substitute for Hard work.
You ‘MAY’ take ‘1’ Day off ????
HAPPY LABOURS DAY#MayDay pic.twitter.com/aEK22yXzl0— Kranthi Kumar (@Kranthi_KumarPK) May 1, 2019
we are all laborers and let’s take to the streets together calling for the voice of liberation for all rights that should be obtained#MayDay2019#MayDayIsNotFunDay pic.twitter.com/ANwJ4frPwn
— al rumi (@oktyabryata) April 28, 2019
Its #InternationalLabourDay and in this occassion i want to convey this message to PM Sir @narendramodi. Sir, these people are really in trouble.Please save them.https://t.co/YhH3oJyGp7#MayDay #MayDay2019 #nagaopapermill#kacharpapermill pic.twitter.com/DuGfbkfi4a
— manabjyoti kalita (@manabdj11) May 1, 2019
In India, Labour Day is a public holiday held on every 1 May. On this day, workers and labourers come together and showcase their strength that indicates how effectively together they can struggle to bring a positive reform for the working class in the society.