TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL 'LABOUR DAY' 2013

INN News Desk

May Day, the first day of the month of May is celebrated all over the world with utmost importance. The day is also known as the “International Worker’s Day” which has a historic significance. The first day of the month of May is also a day of political protests. May Day is otherwise observed as a saint's feast day or a day for organized labor. In many countries, it is a public holiday.


May Day as Labor Day
In many countries including India, May Day is also celebrated as Labor Day. The day originates with the US labor movement in the late 19th century. The history of the movement dates back to May 1, 1886. On this day several labor unions across the US went on strike, demanding a standard workday of eight hours. On May 4th there was bloodshed in Chicago's Haymarket Square – A bomb thrown by a revolutionist led to the deaths of a dozen people (including several police officers) and the injury of over 100 people.

The protests did not get an immediate outcome, but they proved effective subsequently, as eight-hour work days became the norm in many countries across the globe. This day was hence chosen as a day for demonstrations, parades, and speeches. It is a major state holiday in US, Russia and other communist countries. In India, May Day has also been declared a public holiday.

Celebration
Labor Day is celebrated on May 1 in many countries around the world and it is still often a day for protests and rallies. On this day, various labor organizations across the country carry out processions and organize competitions for children belonging to labor class.

However, in recent years, the celebration of this day has taken a new turn, where the workers and trade unions demand to safeguard their interests and give the economic reforms a humane face.

How this day emerged?
In the 1850s, `60s and `70s workers were forced to go on strike on the issue of long working hours. A 14 to 16 hour day, seven days a week was the normal working time in a week for the labourers in Canada and in the U.S.

Slowly thousands of workers and their families began to talk about workers acting collectively to force employers to reduce work hours.

The idea promoted was, that if workers stood together in their workplaces and communities in support of one another, it would bring respect, dignity and better working conditions to them.

By the 1880s, strikes and demonstrations demanding an 8-hour workday became the issue that was supported by everyone. In April 1886, 1,30,000 workers had won the 8-hour day working status from their employers. By May 1886, 3,500 strikes took place throughout the U.S. and some in Canada demanding better working conditions and shorter hours. On May 1, 1886 the police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration in Milwaukee. Nine workers were killed. On May 3, Chicago police killed six demonstrators.

On May 4, the bloodshed continued at the Haymarket Demonstration where some 5,000 stood in the rain and listened to the activists talk about workers` rights and the 8-hour day. The rain got worse, many left. About 400 demonstrators left, the police surrounded them and then, a bomb exploded and shots were fired. In the end, 8 were killed; 6 of whom were police who died of gun shot wounds. There were many injured. However, it was noted that only the police had guns.

The result was that 8 labour leaders from across the U.S., most of whom were not even at the Haymarket demonstration, were charged with murder; tried and found guilty. Seven were sentenced to hang and one received a life sentence. A lot of protests and demonstrations were held against this decision. Finally on November 11, 1887, four of these men were hanged. Two of the men had their sentences changed to life imprisonment and one was killed with a dynamite cap while in prison waiting to be hanged.

In recognition of what workers had fought and died for especially in North America, strikes and demonstrations continued in the following years.

In July 1889, the International Labour Congress met in Paris. Labour groups from around the world came to discuss workers` issues. At this conference they passed a resolution to declare May 1 as International Labour Day in support of the 8-Hour day struggle in North America.