“All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” — Martin Luther King Jr

hile referring to May 1, Eric Hobsbawm pronounced, “the only unquestionable dent made by a secular movement in the Christian or any other official calendar, a holiday established not in one or two countries, but in 1990 officially in 107 states. What is more, it is an occasion established not by the power of governments or conquerors, but by an entirely unofficial movement of poor men and women. I am speaking of May Day, or more precisely of the First of May, the international festival of the working-class movement, whose centenary ought to have been celebrated in 1990, for it was inaugurated in 1890.”

Labour Day, also known as the International Workers’ Day, holds significant importance in many underdeveloped nations, including Pakistan, where it serves as a reminder of the indispensable contributions and remarkable achievements of workers.

Historically, the day used to witness rallies, demonstrations and parades organised by labour unions and workers’ organisations. However, the world at large seems to have lost its sensitivity towards the cause of labour, and the day now appears to have lost its essence as rampant capitalist tendencies dominate the socio-economic landscape.

It is, therefore, imperative to draw the attention of the students of history and sociology towards the momentous event that had far-reaching implications until 1990. Unfortunately, since then, the significance of this day has been gradually diminishing, making it all the more necessary to revive its spirit and emphasise the importance of honouring the hardworking labour force.

To put Labour Day in a proper perspective, it is important to mention that the first Monday in September is celebrated annually as Labour Day in the United States. In 1894, it was declared a national holiday. This holiday is significant for American workers, as it marked a significant change in their working conditions.

The country’s factories, railroads, mills and mines had poor working conditions, and employees, including children, were required to work long hours in crowded and poorly ventilated spaces. Supervision was harsh. In the decades following the Civil War, workers began to call for shorter workdays and better working conditions through strikes and rallies.

Union leaders in New York City organised what is thought to be the first Labour Day parade on September 5, 1882. Tens of thousands of labour union members from various trades marched with the locals. The day culminated in picnics, speeches, fireworks and dancing.

Labour Day had become an official holiday in 24 states by the time it became a federal holiday. Parades and other festivities demonstrate the strength and esprit de corps of trade and labour organisations and celebrate workers’ contributions to the country’s strength, prosperity and well-being.

The roots of Labour Day grew out of violent clashes between labour and police during the Haymarket Riot in 1886, when thousands of workers in Chicago took to the streets to demand an eight-hour workday. In May 1894, workers went on strike to protest 16-hour workdays and low wages at the Pullman Palace Car Company, which manufactured railroad cars in a plant near Chicago.

It is unfair to circumscribe the festival with only one religious community without extracting its religious, cultural and political significance for them.

Members of the powerful American Railway Union (ARU) joined in, refusing to move Pullman cars. Rail traffic across the country was crippled. A few days later, a languishing bill to make Labour Day a national holiday was signed into law by President Grover Cleveland.

Throughout history, labour movements have often been met with opposition and persecution. After the Haymarket incident in 1886, where a bomb exploded during a labour demonstration, many foreign-born radicals and labour organisers were arrested and convicted without evidence. This was just one example of many unjust trials and executions in an effort to suppress the growing labour movement and eliminate radical leaders.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the People’s Republic of China served as large-scale demonstrations of socialism and communism but anti-communist persecution was common in the United States during the Cold War. The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 required union officials to declare their lack of communist affiliation and encouraged some unions to expel radicals until the provision was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1965.

While Labour Day weekend has become a time of leisure and sales, worker-oriented festivities and parades still exist in many cities. In 2020 and 2021, however, the pandemic forced the cancellation of many Labour Day events, including parades. Some cities resumed their Labour Day parades in 2022 but the issue of worker safety remains a top concern.

Despite the challenges and setbacks faced by labour movements, unions continue to work for their members by endorsing political candidates, supporting political action committees and taking stands on civil rights and worker safety issues. Although bread-and-butter issues still dominate the AFL-CIO and other unions, they are becoming increasingly diverse and inclusive, with members of all ethnicities and backgrounds.

Pakistan’s commitment to labour rights and workers’ welfare can be traced back to its first labour policy in 1972. This policy recognised the significance of May 1 as a holiday and established the Social Security Network, the Old Age Benefit Schemes and the Workers’ Welfare Fund. The constitution contains several articles and provisions related to labour rights.

Pakistan’s membership in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reinforces its dedication to workers’ rights and social justice. The ILO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that works towards promoting universal human and social rights. Pakistan has ratified 36 ILO conventions, including eight core conventions.

Although Labour Day in Pakistan does not have any specific symbols, placards and banners carried by workers during parades and rallies often feature the hammer and sickle. Overall, Pakistan’s efforts to prioritise labour rights and welfare demonstrate its commitment to creating a fair and just society for all.

The writer is Professor in the faculty of Liberal Arts at the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore. He can be reached at tahir.kamran@bnu.edu.pk