International Labour Day, a day of labour and Solidarity, is annually observed across the globe on 1st May to create awareness about labour rights and to recognize the efforts of the working class.
- The day is observed in more than 80 countries across the globe, including, India, China, Cuba etc.,
- International Labour Day is also referred to as International Workers Day or May Day or Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas or Kamgar Din.
Background:
i.The first International Congress of Socialist Parties in Europe held on 14th July 1889 in Paris, France, proclaimed to dedicate 1st May of every year as the “Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity.”
ii.The first May day celebration focused on workers was observed on 1st May 1890.
- The origin of the International Labour Day is associated with the struggle for a shorter workday, “The 8-hour day movement”.
Why May 1?
May 1 was chosen as the day to celebrate International Worker’s Day to commemorate the Haymarket Riot Chicago in 1886.
Haymarket Riot Chicago:
i.In 1884 the American Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions approved a resolution calling for a workday of 8 hours, to come into effect on 1st May 1996.
ii.This resulted in a general strike, a labour demonstration in 1886 at Haymarket Square in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America(USA).
iii.Haymarket Riot was the aftermath of the bombing that took place at the labour demonstration which led to the implementation of the eight-hour workday regulation in many countries throughout the world.
8 hour working day:
An 8-hour shift is a global norm that full-time employees are required to work daily, 5 days per week, for the total hours worked per week to equal 40, according to the same norm.
- The eight-hour day was the first topic discussed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) which resulted in the Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919 ratified by 52 countries as of 2016.
History of Labour Day in India:
i.In India, labour day was first celebrated in Chennai (then Madras) on 1st May 1923. The initiative for the celebration was taken by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan led by Comrade Singaravelar (leader of the party) who arranged two meetings to celebrate India’s first Labour Day.
ii.The day is also celebrated as “Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas”.
Note:
Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar became the Labour Member of the Viceroy’s Council in 1942 and championed the cause of 8-hour workday and 48-hour work shifts a week in India.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath Launched E-Pension Portal:
On the occasion of the International Labour Day 2022, Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister(CM) of Uttar Pradesh(UP) inaugurated the e-Pension Portal in Lucknow, UP.
- The e-Pension portal will benefit around 11.5 lakh pensioners across UP.
- At present, the portal is implemented for the state government employees and in future, the portal will also be implemented for other departments.
- The end-to-end online pension portal will make the process of receiving pensions simpler and eliminate the need for pensioners to go anywhere physically.
