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| Sunday, 30 April 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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May Day: When working people come to the fore Almost all of you may know that one day in the calendar has been especially set aside for the working people, in most countries. In Sri Lanka and in most other countries, this day is commemorated on May 1, and is known as May Day. It's also known as Labour Day in some parts of the world.
May Day celebrations will be held on a grand style tomorrow, in Colombo as well as in other parts of the country, and you will be able to see thousands of people marching along the streets, carrying colourful banners and flags. Demonstrations and meetings will be held around the country by various trade unions to create awareness among working people, about their rights and to help them fight for these rights. May Day is the time when workers' rights come to the fore. The holiday is most often associated with the commemoration of the social and economic achievements of the global labour movement. It came to be celebrated on May 1 because, in 1884, the Federation of Organised Trades and Labour Unions of the United States demanded an eight-hour work day for its workers, which was to come into effect from May 1, 1886. It wasn't uncommon those days for people to work for 14, 16 and even 18 hours. The demand resulted in a general strike and the well-known Haymarket Riot of 1886, eventually leading to the official approval of the eight-hour work day. Higher wages and the right to organise were the other demands made by the workers. The resolution to make May Day an international event was adopted in Paris on July 14, 1889, the 100th anniversary of the fall of the Bastille, at a meeting of leaders from organised revolutionary movements of many countries. At the next congress, in Brussels, in 1891, it was emphasised that besides demanding the eight-hour day, it must serve also as a demonstration on behalf of the demands to improve working conditions, and ensure peace among nations. Although May Day originated through the 'Eight-Hour Movement' of the United States, Labour Day is now celebrated in the country on the first Monday of September. Countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands also celebrate Labour Day on different dates, according to how the holiday originated in those countries. In Sri Lanka, commemorating May Day as a day for workers officially
started during the period of the Late Prime Minister, S.W.R.D.
Bandaranaike. The day was also declared a public holiday during this
period. |
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