International Labour Day

• International Labour Day, popularly known as International Workers’ Day or May Day is observed on May 1^st every year.

About International Labour Day

• It is celebrated to commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of the workers’ and labours’ movement.
• It is celebrated in more than 80 countries, including India, Cuba, and China.
• People in different parts of the world hold marches on this day to promote the rights of working-class people and to protect them from exploitation.

Brief History

• The tradition of Labour Day dates back to 19th century America.
• On May 1st, 1886, workers in Chicago organized a strike to demand an eight-hour workday.
• In 1889, the International Congress of Socialist parties met in Paris and decided to celebrate Labour Day or Worker’s Day on May 1.
• Thus, the first International Labour Day was celebrated on May 1, 1890.

Indian context

• The first labour day was celebrated in India on May 1, 1923, in Chennai.
• The first May Day celebrations were organized by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.
• It is known by various names, such as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas, Kamgar Din in Hindi, Kamgar Divas in Marathi, Karmikara Dinacharane in Kannada, Karmika Dinotsavam in Telugu and Uzhaipalar Dhinam in Tamil.