Labour Day - Is it relevant in today’s time and time going forward, to be celebrated with a ‘holiday’?

There are around 200 recognized countries globally and only approx. 70 countries observe Labour Day as a public holiday, that represents around 35% of the countries worldwide. This highlights that while Labour Day may be a significant day in many parts of the world, there are still numerous countries where it may not be observed as a public holiday.

Continue to celebrate Labour Day as a holiday may give one a false sense of satisfaction that labour conditions have improved over all these years, whereas in reality it is just observed to celebrate “an eight-hour workday.”

Rather, one needs to continue to rally around to talk on a regular basis about wage inequality, job security, and workers' rights among others to keep the original movement alive or reignite.

In my opinion, Labour Day's relevance as a holiday may have diminished in certain contexts, particularly in advanced economies where labour conditions have significantly improved compared to the past

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With Technology shaping the way we approach our work of today, Pandemic redefined the mode of working and shift of emphasis from manufacturing to service industries, here are my take on why Labour Day should not be celebrated as a “Holiday”: ?

1. Shift in Economy: As economies transition from manufacturing to service-oriented sectors, traditional labour issues such as physical working conditions and long factory hours might not be as prevalent. The nature of work has evolved, with more focus on digital workplaces, remote working, and flexible hours.
2. Modern Work Arrangements: With the increase in part-time, freelance, and remote working opportunities, traditional labour laws and celebrations may not resonate as strongly. For many, the concept of a strict eight-hour workday is becoming outdated.
3. Existing Labor Protections: In many developed countries, labour rights such as the eight-hour workday, weekends off, paid leave, and benefits are already well-established and protected by law. This can make Labour Day seem redundant or purely symbolic.
4. Globalization and Outsourcing: The global nature of many modern businesses, with outsourcing of labour to countries with cheaper labour markets, can dilute the impact of labour movements in any one country. This makes it harder to organize effective action that improves conditions globally.
5. Focus on Other Issues: Day could be better spent focusing on current and emerging workforce issues, such as the gig economy, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation's impact on jobs, or economic disparities that aren't strictly about labour conditions but broader social equity.

These points could help you develop a nuanced perspective on whether and how Labour Day should continue to be observed or if its format and focus might need to evolve to stay relevant.

Your Call, food for thought and comments

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