International Workers Day- Why do we celebrate it?
International Workers Day is celebrated on 1st May every year. It is a result of the of the socialist movement and demands for fixed work time schedule, excluding children from workforce and wages. This day is important for the working class as it reminds us of our rights alongside the duties. It is to recognize the efforts of workers in the past who fought for unionization to prevent exploitation.
Eight-Hour Work Day Movement
It is also known as the “Short-Time Movement”. The movement had the following slogan, “Eight hours’ work, Eight hours’ recreation and Eight hours’ rest”. In the past work would range from ten to sixteen hours a day, people worked for six days a week and children were also included as part of the workforce. This was during the Industrial Revolution. However, this changed with movements that began worldwide after socialist thinkers and philosophers impacted the mind of people and inspired them to speak out and work for their rights besides being employees to perform their duties. The movements in England for reduced 10-hour work and France for 12-hour work, Karl Marx’s “Das Kapital (1867) and worker movements around countries like New Zealand, Uruguay led to this demand as part of the “Hours of Work (Industry) Convention in 1919.
India and the Labour Movement
Demonstrations are organized countrywide by the Communist and Socialist Political Parties. The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) is the labour wing of the party that holds protests to reiterate the demands of labour movements and the importance of labour day, that seems to be forgotten with the rise in capitalism and demand for privatization across the country. It was celebrated for the first time in Chennai in 1923 by Malaypuram Singaravelu, also founder of first trade union in India. The day is mostly significant in South-Indian states and some parts of Eastern and Western India due to communist influence. Most parts of North-India do not have a holiday on Labour Day.
Labour Unions in India
· National Unions like All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), etc.
· White Collar Trade Unions for Banks, IT and other service sector employees like All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), Forum for IT Employees (FITE), Union of IT Employees (UNITE), among others
· Other Crafts and Industrial Unions like Ahmedabad Weaver’s Union or Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh.
Workers Day and Christianity
In the Bible, Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ and spouse of Mother Mary is venerated as the Patron of Workers due to his mastery and dedication as a Carpenter. Thus, besides his religious feast day on 19 March, Pope Pius XII in 1955 judiciously instituted the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker on 1st May. This is to recognize and appreciate the “Dignity of Labour”.
Suicide and Unemployment- What data tells us?
Chart: Chart about suicide due to Unemployment in India (Source: NCRB)
The above two charts inform us that states and cities that are home to the largest workforce of the country also account for most deaths due to suicide as a result of lack of employment or job loss.
Purpose of Labour Day amidst the Pandemic
During the Pandemic there was a constant struggle to lockdown or open establishments, especially in India. The concern was, “What will happen to the workforce?” India also witnessed a crisis with the exodus of migrant workers from cities to their hometowns as lockdowns were announced. Many were forced to walk on foot with no transport in the first wave and some died during the journey. The demand from the top representatives of Industries to not be able to close businesses and inability of work from home mechanisms in places where possible as employees need money to survive was cited. But all of this has a deep capitalist voice. Imagine industries and countries boast of profits every year, despite this when it comes to providing employees, usually middle order and lower ones with pay hikes or security, they sulk about it by saying that the situation is bleak and they are amidst testing times. Industrialist boast about expansion and owning exotic or luxurious items that cost millions, but can’t shell out money to pay employees. This tells us that a day like this should be remembered and needs greater emphasis. Even amidst the Pandemic while people in power have access to safe and stress free healthcare, the frontline workers, most of whom belong to the working class are the backbone for survival.
Other concerns about Labour Day
Labour is seen as a paid job where people work at an office or space outside one’s home. But after increased awareness there is a need to include home-making, personal assistance to known people and voluntary services. There is a great deal of abuse that happens in such forms of work with no proper regulation or official committee for assistance during grievances. Also employment that is primarily driven by passion suffers from similar concerns. You can love your job, yet need regulation and break time for other commitments and personal care. Labour Day needs to consider these aspects in demands and awareness. Many companies share quotes of Hard Work and Perseverance to celebrate this day, but few will educate their staff about Rights of the Employees and Duties of Management with reference to relevance of “lnternational Workers Day”.