May Day, also called Workers’ Day or International Workers’ Day, commemorates the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement. International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day in most countries, is celebrated on May 1 every year. The theme for this year’s May Day is ‘Acting together to build a positive culture of safety and health’. The theme stresses encouraging the workplace for strong work health with a safe and healthy work environment. Labour Day commemorates past labour struggles against workers’ rights violations, including lengthy workdays and weeks, poor conditions and child labour. More than 80 countries (including India) celebrate Labour Day as a holiday. This year International Worker’s Day is not a public holiday as it falls on a Sunday. The day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement. Several countries became associated with the labour movement in the late 19th century after trade unions and socialist groups designated it as a day in support of workers. The date was chosen to be International Workers’ Day to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago in the US, in which a peaceful rally in support of workers led to a violent clash with the police, leading to the deaths of at least 38 civilians and 7 police officers. It is pertinent to note that there are a vast number of migrant workers in India. They had to undergo a harrowing time during the pandemic. The issues of migrant workers in the country need to be addressed.
