The International Labour Day is annually observed across the globe on May 1st to recognise the achievements of the workers and to create awareness about the exploitation of workers.
The International Labour Day is also known as International Workers Day or May Day, Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas (International Labour Day) or “Kamgar Din”.
The day is observed in many countries like India, Cuba and China.
The Day was first celebrated on May 1st 1890.
Background:
i.Before 1889, the workers were made to work more than 15 hours a day.
ii.The Marxist International Socialist Congress adopted the resolution on 14th July 1889 for an international demonstration to demand that workers should not be made to work more than 8 hours a day.
iii.This international demonstration became an annual event in 1890 and 1st May of every year is celebrated as the International Labour day.
Why May 1?
i.May 1 was chosen to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket riot in Chicago.
ii.In 1884 the American Federation of Organised Trades and Labor Unions made a demand to adopt the 8 hour workday with effect from May 1st 1886, which resulted in the Haymarket riot in Chicago.
Labour Day in India:
i.The first Labour day in India was observed in Chennai by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on May 1st 1923.
ii.The day is also marked as the Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas (International Labour Day).
