Labor Day

Labor Day is usually celebrated on 1st May every year but it tends to also vary as per the countries. This day is also known as the ‘May Day’. It is celebrated in order to acknowledge the economic and social achievements of workers. It is celebrated to promote and encourage labor associations. Labor Day has its origins in the labor union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. For most countries, Labor Day is synonymous with or linked with, International Workers’ Day, which occurs on 1^st May. For other countries, Labor Day is celebrated on a different date, often one with special significance for the labor movement in that country. Labor Day is a public holiday in many countries. May Day is purely celebrated to pay tribute and honor to the contributions made by the workers towards the betterment of an organization and consequently our society. But today, the Labor Day has evolved as a labor union celebration losing the deeper and the true significance of this day. The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, according to the Department of Labor. It was organized by the New York Central Labor Union, which was made of several labor unions coming together to work toward better working conditions. Labor Day itself constitutes many privileges and welfare for the working men and women. It has cut down the daily working hours from 12-16 hours to 8 hours in a day. No company can compel any worker to work beyond 8 hours without getting paid for those extra hours. In Canada and the United States, the holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of September and considered the unofficial end of summer, with summer vacation ending and students returning to school around then. Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati, an organization working for the welfare of garment workers, has requested that 24^th April be declared Labor Safety Day in Bangladesh, in memory of the victims of the Rana Plaza building collapse. Labor Day certainly protects the rights of the laborers and the employees should not use it as a weapon to threaten the management in order to achieve undue advantages; only then will the purpose of the Labor Day be fulfilled.