From Roots to Global Recognition: Tracing the Labor Day History and Two Countries
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As a part of the eight-hour workday movement, Australian stonemasons in Victoria staged a mass stoppage on April 21, 1856. It developed into an annual celebration that encouraged American labourers to call their first halt. International Workers' Day was established on May 1st to honour the Chicago Haymarket Affair in 1886. A nationwide walkout in favour of an eight-hour workweek took place that year, starting on May 1. When an unidentified person tossed a bomb on May 4, the police intervened to disperse a public assembly in support of the strike. In response, the workers were fired upon by the police. Seven police officers and at least four civilians lost their lives as a result of the incident; one hundred and fifteen civilians and sixty police officers were injured.
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Hundreds more labour leaders and supporters were later apprehended, and four of them were hanged following a trial widely seen as a miscarriage of justice. The state militia opened fire on a group of strikers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 5th. Among the seven people killed were a kid and a guy who was feeding chickens in his yard. Following a request by Raymond Lavigne [fr] for worldwide protests on the 1890 anniversary of the Chicago protests, the Second International met for the first time in Paris in 1889.Calls for May Day demonstrations on May 1, 1890, were made in most of Europe and the United States.There were similar protests in Peru and Chile. May Day received official recognition. as a yearly occasion during the Second Congress of the International in 1891. That was followed by the May Day riots of 1894. "All Social Democratic Party organisations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on the First of May for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace," was the call issued by the International Socialist Congress in Amsterdam in 1904. The convention made it "mandatory upon the proletarian organisations of all countries to stop work on 1 May, wherever it is possible without injury to the workers."
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India
In the case of India, the first Labour Day was celebrated in Chennai in 1923. The red flag was first used at that time too in India. Observed by the LabourKisan Party of Hindustan, on this day, the communist leader Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar asked the government that this day be considered as a national holiday. This was done as a symbol for considering the efforts and work of labours and workers. Some other names for this day are In Hindi, it is called Kamgar Din, in Kannada Karmikara Dinacharane, in Telugu Karmikika Dinotsavam, in Marathi Kamgar Divas, in Tamil Uzhaipalar Dhinam, in Malayalam Thozhilaali Dinam, and in Bengali Shromik Dibosh.
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Industry-wise percentage distribution of workers-India
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UAE
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2nd ?December marks formal nationalisation and the start of the federal unification of the emirates in 1971 .UAE celebrates International Workers' Day across the country under the slogan #HonouringOurWorkers. The UAE has implemented a new Labor Law on 2nd February 2022 (replacing Federal Law No. 8 of 1980).
The UAE is home to over 2 million workers hailing from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and The Philippines to name a few. This annual event honours hard workers in the country.
The Ministry of Tolerance assists employees in commemorating International Workers' Day by setting up events at their homes and offering various services. Through this event, the ministry hopes to uplift the employment sector and demonstrate its belief in the workforce's critical role in the nation's overall growth. The ministry thinks it may contribute to the development of a more inclusive and peaceful society in the United Arab Emirates by appreciating and supporting the efforts of its employees. The "2,000 Meals Initiative," in which Emirati people will prepare and serve home-cooked meals to workers, as well as the "Mobile Hospitals Initiative," which will provide free medical treatments to workers.
Swiss Re report highlights –
·?????? After one year, about 6.9 million workers have enrolled on the new UAE unemployment insurance, generating USD 120m premiums.
·?????? The UAE labour market is adding more skilled employment due to policy measures to attract talent.
·?????? Report Forecast the UAE economy will grow by 4.2% in 2024, supported by both the oil and non-oil sectors.
·?????? The growth outlook is positive, given expected easing of oil production cuts and strong growth in construction, tourism and infrastructure spending.
International Worker Day is a chance to commemorate and recognise the contributions made by employees to the development of infrastructure and the provision of vital services to society. Additionally, it serves as a reminder of the labour movement and the struggle for improved working conditions and rights. Social disparity may exists today in some countries , albeit to varying degrees in different nations and industries. May Day provides an opportunity for people to speak out and urge politicians and policymakers to move towards social justice. Indeed, both India and the UAE have taken steps to support workers and protect their basic rights, fostering a conducive and friendly working environment. In India, labor laws ensure various rights such as fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection against exploitation. Additionally, initiatives like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) aim to provide employment and enhance livelihood security.
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Similarly, the UAE has implemented labor laws and regulations to safeguard workers' rights, including provisions for fair wages, reasonable working hours, and occupational safety. The country has also introduced measures to improve the working conditions of migrant workers, who form a significant portion of the workforce in sectors like construction and hospitality.
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Source- TOI : Wikipedia : Govt Websites : Media Opensource