International Workers' Day
Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.
Preparation
Why do we need International Workers' Day?
International Workers' Day is a celebration of working people and a day when people campaign for decent work and fair pay. Thanks to action taken by workers over many years, millions of people have won fundamental rights and protections. Minimum wages have been established, there are limits on working hours, and people have the right to paid holidays and sick pay.
However, in recent years, working conditions in many situations have got worse. Since the global financial crisis of 2008, part-time, short-term and badly paid work has become more common, and state pensions are at risk. We have also seen the rise of the 'gig economy', where companies hire workers casually for one short job at a time. These workers don't have the usual rights to paid holidays, the minimum wage or redundancy pay. Solidarity with other workers is as important as ever.
The history of International Workers' Day
In May 1886, 400,000 workers in many parts of the USA went on strike, demanding an eight-hour working day. The strike started peacefully, but on the third day of protests in Chicago there was some violence. The police shot at unarmed workers, killing several of them. The next day there were more protests and someone threw a bomb. Seven police officers and four workers were killed by the bomb or police shooting just after the bomb. The person who threw the bomb was never identified, but eight workers were arrested. Seven of them were sentenced to death, and one of them was sent to prison for 15 years.
This event, known as The Haymarket Affair, was very important in bringing working people together in the USA. Many people didn't believe the men were guilty, and the trial was criticised for being unfair. The Haymarket Affair became an international symbol of the struggle for workers' rights, and May 1 was chosen to be International Workers' Day. On this day, socialist parties and trade unions called for workers to demonstrate for the eight-hour day and in favour of peaceful protest. The eight-hour working day became law for public workers in 1892 in the USA. Since then, workers' movements all over the world have continued to fight for and win this right.
How is Workers' Day celebrated now?
Celebrations and protests take place in different ways in different countries around the world. May 1 is a public holiday in countries such as South Africa, Tunisia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and China. In many countries, including France, Greece, Japan, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States, there are demonstrations on International Workers' Day.
Workers' Day is a day for working people to have a rest from their usual labour. It is an opportunity to campaign for workers' rights, show solidarity with other working people and to celebrate the achievements of workers all over the world.
Do people in your country celebrate Workers' Day?
I like the article, it has a lot of awareness about workers' Day, such as the importance of sick pay, wages, and the work hours. In Saudi Arabia, we don't celebrate Worker' Day, and we don't have a trade union, but we are caring about workers' rights by the labor law.
In my country, Greece, May 1st has been established as a mandatory holiday.
There are gatherings and celebrations.
Workers and trade unions honour the historical struggles of the past and, at the same time, bring up the contemporary problems of labour.
May 1st is a beacon for both the present and the future of all workers.
Yes we do. This day is holiday in our country. We take this day to celebrate our achievements.
Yes we do in libya, it’s a special day, even the prime minster here givs an extra day sometimes so it’s really a memorble day for the workers.
In my country it’s not like a celebration it’s just a holiday and they get that day off
In my country, we celebrate it too. It doesn't limited to workers, but for all of the people in our country. During time, we have five das off and we can do what we want to such as experiential labor and relaxing.
In my country, Brazil, there are many events where many workers protests. It's most common protests workers meeting with their friends to demand better work conditions.
Yes, in many cities, socialist parties and trade unions organize shows, events and marches to celebrate the workers' achievement and fight for others workers issues.
Every year on May 1, my country celebrates the Working day, Because our Sounthern Liberation Day is on Apr 30, so we combine these 2 days to celebrate. On these 2 days, every house must fly a flag in front of the house and we have 2 public holidays.