Facts about International Labour Day | Fusion - WeRIndia

Today is May 1, May Day. May 1 is observed as International Labour Day in many countries throughout the world.

The International Labour Day is aimed to raise awareness in workers on their rights.

In India, May Day was first organized by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on May 1, 1923, in Chennai, the then Madras.

Red Flag was used to symbolize the Labour Day at that time.

Here are some interesting factInternational Labour Days about the International Labour Day:

• The International Labour Day is otherwise known as International Workers’ Day. It is also known as ‘Kamgar Din’ or ‘Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas’ in Hindi. In Marathi, it is called as ‘Kamgar Divas’ and in Tamil, it is known as ‘Uzhaipalar Naal’.
• International Labour Day is a public holiday for working classes in 90 countries across the globe. It is being celebrated on May 1 every year.
• Many think that the origin of Labour Day happened in a socialist country like Russia, but it is not true. The origin of International Workers’ Day took place in the United States considering world capitalism.
• The day is promoted by the international labour movement. The Second International May Day, an organization selected May 1 as the international labour day. This organization was formed by a group of socialist and labour parties in Paris on July 14, 1889.
• In India, May 1 is also marked as ‘Maharashtra Day’ and ‘Gujarat Day’ to celebrate the formation of their statehood after their division from Bombay based on linguistic lines.
• In China, it has been a statutory holiday since 1950.
• In Russia, this day is known as “The Day of Spring and Labor” and has been celebrated since 1992.
• In Chicago, it is celebrated as the worker’s day to commemorate the Haymarket affair.
• May 1 has been officially recognized as an annual celebration date for global labour and workers since 1890.
• Several trade unions organize parades on May 1 to protect the rights of the worker in many cities of France.

Image credit: 1953 Labour Day float, May Day Procession, Brisbane image by Queensland State Archives (Public Domain Mark 1.0)

Image Reference: https://www.flickr.com/photos/queenslandstatearchives/39225854085