International Labour Day 2023: On 1 May, people all across the world observe International Workers' Day, also referred to as International Labour Day. The day is set aside to recognise labour and employees across all fields and professions. The purpose of the day is to educate workers about their rights as well as to recognise the contributions that they have made.
Labour Day's origins can be traced back to the 19th century in the United States of America. In particular, May 1 was chosen as Labour Day in remembrance of the 1886 countrywide strike for an 8-hour work day, which started on that day and culminated in the Haymarket affair in Chicago, US. The Haymarket affair is the name given to the tragic event in which a labour protest gathering descended into violence after a bomb was thrown at the police, killing 7 police officers and at least 4 of those around them.
In India, Labour Day was commemorated for the first time in 1923. The Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan hosted the first official Labour Day celebration in India on May 1 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
At the time Labour Day was established, unions initially requested some fairly specific improvements in working conditions. The 8-hour workday was a cause they fought for. Workers have a chance to come together on this day and communicate with one another about their concerns and objectives. The country is encouraged to recognise and value the contributions workers make to society on this day.
Every year, we mark this day in a way that not only recognises the movement and shows our appreciation for the labour force, but also raises important questions and concerns about the current working conditions for workers.
