“Without labour nothing prospers.”

Labour Day or International Workers Day is celebrated annually on 1 May to celebrate the working class and labourers across the world. Socialist and labour unions celebrate this day by organising programmes to improve wages and working conditions of the workforce. In more than 80 countries Labour Day is a national holiday.

Before a formal Labour Day came into place, deaths, injuries and dangerous working conditions were very common among the working class globally. During the rise of industrialisation, the U.S. exploited the working class during the nineteenth century and made them work upto 15 hours a day under rigorous conditions. The rising death of the workforce in industries forced the working class to raise their voices for their safety. After efforts made by the workers and socialists, eight hours was declared as the legal time for the workers in the late nineteenth century by the American Federation of Labour.

The origin of Labour Day goes back to an incident in Chicago on May 4, 1886 known as the Haymarket Affair. On this day workers assembled as part of a peaceful rally in a strike demanding an eight hour work day. An unknown person threw a dynamite bomb at the police as they acted to disperse the meeting, and the bomb blast and ensuing gunfire resulted in the deaths of seven police officers and atleast four civilians; dozens of others were wounded. The Chicago protests led to many countries and at last they got the proper labour rights.

So, they had a long repression from the society. So, now the time has come to live respectfully and safe. Without labour no country can prosper. They are the ones who make a way towards country’s development. Their hardwork, dedication cherishes the path of development of country. So, respect them and provide safe working conditions to them. The below mentioned lives are aptly quoted;” A worker is a creator and a great asset to every nation”.