Published By: Nibandh Vinod
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Over 80 countries, including India, Cuba and China, mark International Labour Day. (Image: Shutterstock)
International Labour Day is observed to remember the struggles and sacrifices of the workers and labour movements. The day is also referred to as May Day or International Workers’ Day.
Every year on May 1, International Labour Day is observed to remember the struggles and sacrifices of the workers and labour movements. The day is also referred to as May Day or International Workers’ Day. International Labour Day is aimed at emphasising the value of labourers and their role in constructing society. There has always been debate over workers’ rights. Workers are frequently exploited and made to labour in hazardous situations worldwide.
Over 80 countries, including India, Cuba and China, mark International Labour Day. On this day, people all over the world march to advocate working-class rights and protect them from exploitation.
International Labour Day 2024: Theme
The official theme for International Labour Day 2024 is yet to be announced by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Regardless of the theme, International Labour Day remains an important forum for recognising workers’ achievements, advocating for their rights and promoting a more equitable and sustainable future of work for all.
International Labour Day 2024: Quotes
- ‘All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence’ – Martin Luther King Jr
- ‘No human masterpiece has been created without great labour’ – Andre Gide
- ‘Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, and your spirit. Then get back to work’ – Ralph Marston
- ‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life’ – Confucious
- ‘The dignity of labour depends not on what you do, but how you do it’ – Edwin Osgood
International Labour Day 2024: India Connection
- In India, the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan celebrated the first May Day in Madras (now Chennai) in 1923. The party’s head, Comrade Singaravelar, organised two meetings to celebrate this grand day.
- May 1 is also known as Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day to commemorate the statehood of these two states in 1960.
- Labour Day is known by several different names in different Indian states, the most prominent being May Day.
- Labour Day is known as Kamgar Din in Hindi, Karmika Dinotsavam in Telugu, Thozhilali Dinam in Malayalam, Karmikara Dinacharane in Kannada, Kamgar Divas in Marathi, Uzhaipalar Dhinam in Tamil and Shromik Dibosh in Bengali.
International Labour Day 2024: History
The origin of Labour Day may be traced back to the late 19th century, when workers all over the world began demanding improved working conditions, fair wages and shorter working hours.
On May 1, 1886, workers in Chicago staged a strike to demand an eight-hour workday. Following the bombing of a labour gathering in Haymarket Square, workers across the United States banded together to demand their rights and fight for improved working conditions. The strike resulted in violent fights between labourers and police.
In 1889, the Second International, a global association of socialist and labour parties, met in Paris and declared May 1 as International Workers’ Day to commemorate the Haymarket incident and advocate workers’ rights. According to several reports, Canada began commemorating Labour Day 10 years before the United States.
International Labour Day 2024: Significance
International Labour Day is an opportunity to commemorate and recognise workers’ contributions to infrastructure development and providing basic services to society. It is also a reminder to recognise workers’ struggles and movements for their rights and better working conditions.
Even today, social disparity persists among workers in a variety of industries and countries. This day provides an opportunity for these workers to raise their voices and urge policymakers and politicians to fight for social fairness.
