Mushtaq Bala
Each year, May 1st is observed as Labour Day in many parts of the world, a day dedicated to honoring the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of the working class. It is more than a public holiday—it is a solemn reminder of the long and often painful journey workers have taken to secure the rights and dignity many enjoy today.
Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day or May Day, has its roots in the 19th-century labour movement in the United States. The fight for an eight-hour workday led to widespread strikes and protests, most notably the Haymarket Affair in Chicago in 1886. What began as a peaceful demonstration for fair working conditions tragically ended in violence and arrests—but the movement marked a turning point in labour history.
The ideals of fair wages, regulated work hours, safe working environments, and the right to unionize spread rapidly across the globe. In India, Labour Day was first observed on May 1, 1923, in Chennai (then Madras), led by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.
Today, the nature of labour has changed dramatically. We live in an era of rapid technological advancement, gig economies, remote work, and globalized markets. Yet, the core challenges for workers—job security, wage fairness, work-life balance, and protection from exploitation—remain pressing.
Millions of workers across the world, especially in developing economies, continue to toil in informal sectors with minimal rights or recognition. Migrant workers, domestic helpers, factory employees, and daily wage earners form the backbone of our societies, often without the safety nets afforded to their counterparts in organized sectors.
Labour Day serves not only to commemorate past victories but also to highlight the work that remains unfinished. Governments, employers, and civil societies must use this day to recommit to fair employment practices, social justice, and inclusive economic policies.
It is also a time to recognize the dignity of all forms of work. From the sanitation worker to the software engineer, from the farmer to the factory operator—every contribution counts toward building a nation’s future.
While parades, speeches, and cultural programs mark the celebrations, the true tribute lies in policy and practice. Ensuring minimum wage compliance, providing health insurance, enforcing occupational safety standards, and supporting collective bargaining are tangible ways to honor the spirit of Labour Day.
Let this day remind us that behind every building, product, road, or service, there is a human hand—calloused, persistent, and proud. We must continue to build a world where every worker is valued not just in words, but in actions.
(The author is a renowned filmmaker and Editor of Weekly Kashmir Pen)