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When is International Workers' Day?
International Workers' Day, commemorating the international labor movement and workers, is observed annually on May 1st. Across the world, millions of workers and labor unions often organize demonstrations on the streets.
Communist movements, organizations adhering to the ideology of governmentlessness as well as labor unions. Conduct marches across streets. Advocating for the expansion of social welfare rights, labor rights.
Significance of May 1st International Workers' Day
May 1st: A Day of Celebrating Victory, Solidarity, and Determination of Workers Worldwide. Until now, May 1st International Workers' Day has become a festival of our nation's laborers. It's a day to honor the labor force, strive for peace, democracy, and social progress. And to unite the working class and oppressed peoples worldwide.
Every May 1st is an opportunity for us to revisit the history of the labor class struggle. Affirming the position, role, and contributions of workers, the labor force to the society's development.
History of International Workers' Day
In the city of Chicago in 1886, the American Federation of Labor Convention decided that from May 1st, 1886, the labor time of all workers would be 8 hours. This date was chosen because it marked the beginning of a fiscal year in most factories and industries in the United States. Therefore, capitalists could not avoid this decision and had to accept new contracts with laborers.
On May 1st, 1886, due to the workers' demands not being met, workers across the United States went on strike to pressure the employers to meet their demands. The first was the strike in the city of Chicago. When more than 40,000 people did not go to the factories and organized demonstrations.
Workers organized demonstrations throughout the city with banners: 'From today, no worker will work more than 8 hours a day! Must implement eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, eight hours of recreation!'. This strike attracted more and more participants. And on that day, other industrial centers across the United States also erupted in 5,000 strikes, with 340,000 workers participating. In New York, Washington, Boston, Baltimore,... more than 125,000 workers won the right to work 8 hours a day.
When protests faced severe oppression, employers dismissed striking workers and hired replacements from neighboring cities, deploying police to suppress them. Subsequently, they hired instigators to disrupt the workers' struggle. The outcome was intense conflicts, culminating in the Haymarket massacre in 1886 in Chicago, USA. The aftermath led to the arrest of many union leaders, and hundreds of workers died and were injured. Ultimately, the capitalists were compelled to accept the workers' demands.
On June 20, 1889, three years after the 'tragedy' in the city of Chicago, the Second International Communist was organized in Paris, France. Under the leadership of Friedrich Engels, the First Congress of the Second International Communist decided to designate May 1st every year as a day to commemorate the strength and collective struggle of the proletarian class of all countries.
Commemorating International Workers' Day 2023
International Workers' Day 2023 is a special occasion for us to commemorate 137 years of International Workers' Day. And to revisit the history of struggle, construction, and maturation of the working class. Affirming the role, significant contribution of the labor force in social development.
Amidst the Covid-19 situation, many Vietnamese workers cannot work directly. Labor activities are organized through digital applications.
However, many workers still lose their jobs. Due to stalled production activities, many factories, enterprises have to suspend operations or go bankrupt. This is when we deeply understand the saying of Uncle Ho: 'Labor is glorious'.
International Workers' Day on May 1st is an incredibly special and meaningful event. It is a day when the entire Party, people, and army of our country commemorate the historic victory on April 30th. It is also a time for the whole nation to remember the sacrifices of our heroes. Together, we recall the tradition of fighting against foreign aggression, building, and firmly defending our Fatherland.
