INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY & ITS GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE- ‘1st MAY 2022’

The international workers day, also known as International Labour Day is a day that falls on the 1^st of May. Hence, as an official holiday in many countries of the world. However, in Canada, the giant North-American nation, the day is Canada’s labour day. In addition to this, Canada’s labour day shall be followed on the 5^th of September, 2022. 1^st May, also known as the ‘May Day’ holds plenty of global significance regards to the prestige of the day. A huge importance that is given on 1^st May every year.

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A day for the workers all around the world which also includes people from the Corporate world. Further, people working on daily wages, and people working on contractual agreements for three months period or a six months period or an year. Worker’s day has its history attached with the happenings & events of 1^st May 1886, i.e. Chicago Riots. It is truly a day dedicated to the working class. That is, the people who strive hard every day to survive and pay their utilities. As well as manage their income for survival and their bread and butter.

MORAL VALUES ATTACHED WITH THE WORKERS DAY:   

The international workers day, also known as International Labour Day has got huge moral values for the working class. Initially, it started with the labour, i.e. people who worked on daily wages. However, in later years the significance has moved up internationally to the corporate class as well. Moral values attached with this precious day is due to the fact that the workers are also considered human beings. Especially, by the Lords, the magnates and the rich business class. The elites & higher class who are actually the owners of big companies and own factories & Mills.

The international worker’s day is further dedicated for the respect and consideration of the rights of international workers. Furthermore, the labour working around the world on daily wages. The industrial age & the industrial revolution has a lot to do with this. Particularly, as the rights of the workers were found to be limited like in these modern times. Ironically, the rights are more enhanced and highlighted. Especially, in terms of insurance & safety laws for the workers, especially the Labour. Safety equipment for those that need them at work and being morally aware of what are the basic needs of workers. Hence, it is a high-level necessity in these times, as compared to when the day initiated. In terms of the ethical and moral values, the day holds many unique significance for the rights of people working.

THE MAY DAY- ‘HONOURING THE 1st OF MAY’:   

Apart from being a distress call, or a call that is used to signal a life-threatening emergency. The ‘May Day’ is also known as the day of observance of International worker’s day. A day of international workers and labour reunions apart from conferences taking place all over the globe. The 1^st of May was also observed as a pagan holiday in many parts of Europe. Although, the day didn’t originated from a European country. The roots of the holiday stretch back to Gaelic Beltane. Hence, during the Roman times, the 1^st of May was seen as a key period for the arrival of spring and celebrating the fertility.

The traditional English may day celebrations are a bit different from those taking place internationally & in Canada. These rites and celebrations includes Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen. Finally, dancing around a Maypole. These are festivities which made it a popular season celebration in medieval England. In modern England, these celebrations are a bit more composed and sophisticated. Hence, as well as rather uniformed in terms of the objectives.

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LABOUR DAY:

While we move back in history, the first May day celebrations focused on workers took place on 1^st May 1890. This is after its proclamation by the first international congress of socialist parties in Europe on July 14^th 1889 in Paris, France. Primarily, to dedicate 1^st of May every year. Hence, as the “Workers Day of International unity and Solidarity”

This date was basically chosen by the pundits and law makers due to the events on the other side of the Atlantic. It happened in the year 1884, when the American Federation of Organised Trades and Labour Unions demanded an eight-hour work day. Something, to come in effect from 1^st May 1886. However, this is an event that resulted in general strike and the Haymarket in Chicago riots of 1886. Eventually, it in the end also resulted in the official sanction of the eight-hour work day. 1^st of May became an international celebration also known as “The May Day” in most countries around the world except Canada. In UK and Ireland the bank holiday is not officially on the 1^st of May. However, instead as a significance it is on the first Monday of May.

The global significance of this vital day is indeed an importance for the international workers that can’t in any way be ignored. However, it surely varies in terms of the level of importance and celebrations from country to country. The theme is that the efforts of the workers for the sake of bringing stability to an economy. Apart from this, creating an example of pride can’t in any way be ignored. The working class is indeed a huge image-setter for any sovereign nation.