Context: – Labor Day is celebrated every year on 1 May. The day is observed as an occasion to commemorate the contributions of labourers and the working class. The International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency, works towards setting international labour standards.
An Overview of the News
- It is known as International Workers’ Day. It is observed as a public holiday in more than 80 countries around the world.
- Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September in many countries, including the United States. However, in most parts of the world it is celebrated on May 1st.
- The purpose of Labor Day is to acknowledge the contribution of working individuals to society and to recognize the importance of work. It commemorates the steps taken by the labour movement to fight for workers’ rights and improve working conditions.
History of Labor Day 2023
- Labor Day, also known as International Workers’ Day or May Day, is celebrated every year on 1 May.
- The origins of Labor Day can be traced to the labour movement of the late 19th century.
- The First International Congress of Socialist Parties, held in Paris in 1889, proclaimed 1 May as the “Workers’ Day of International Unity and Solidarity”.
- The purpose of the day was to draw attention to the labour movement and promote the idea of an eight-hour working day, a key demand of labour advocates around the world.
- However, the first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on the first Monday of September in 1882 and the day was used to promote the interests of trade unions and workers.
- May Day in the United States is associated with negative events following the Haymarket Riot in Chicago in 1886, a protest against police violence and the wrongful conviction of labour activists.
- May Day’s association with communism also contributed to opposition to the holiday in some countries, including the United States.
- Despite this, May Day remains an important Labor Day for workers and labour advocates around the world, and is celebrated with rallies, marches, and other events.
India
- The first Labour’s Day was celebrated in 1923 in Chennai. This day was observed by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.
- On this day, communist leader MalayapuramSingaraveluChettiar asked the government that 1st May should be considered as a national holiday to symbolise the efforts and work of the workers.
- This day is also known as Kamgar Divas, Kamgar Din and AntarrashtriyaShramik Divas in India.
Read also: Yuan Wang 5
