International Labour Day

• 01 May 2021

Why in News

Every year 1^st May is observed as May Day and is also known as International Labour Day worldwide.

• The day is observed as an occasion to commemorate the contributions of labourers and the working class.
• The International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency, works towards setting international labour standards.

Key Points

• History and Significance:
  
  • United States:
    
    • Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement in the United States in the 19^th Century.
      
      • However, the USA and Canada celebrate Labour day on the first Monday of September, every year.
    • Labour day was designated as a day in support of workers by trade unions and socialist groups in the memory of the Haymarket affair of 1886 in Chicago, USA.
      
      • Haymarket Affair was a peaceful rally in support of workers which led to a violent clash with the police, leading to severe casualties. Those who died were hailed as “Haymarket Martyrs”.
    • Workers’ rights violations, straining work hours, poor working conditions, low wages and child labour were the issues highlighted in the protest.
  • Europe:
    
    • May Day was first celebrated on 1^st May, 1890, after it was declared by the first International Congress of Socialist Parties in Europe in July 1889.
  • USSR:
    
    • The Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc nations started celebrating the Labour day after the Russian Revolution, 1917.
      
      • New ideologies such as Marxism and Socialism inspired many socialist and communist groups and they attracted peasants and workers and made them an integral part of national movement.
• India:
  
  • The first Labour’s Day was celebrated in 1923 in Chennai. This day was observed by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.
  • On this day, communist leader Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar asked the government that 1^st May should be considered as a national holiday to symbolise the efforts and work of the workers.
  • This day is also known as Kamgar Divas, Kamgar Din and Antarrashtriya Shramik Divas in India.

Constitutional Provisions Related to Labour

• Indian constitution provides numerous safeguards for the protection of labour rights. These safeguards are in the form of fundamental rights and the Directive principle of State policy.
• Article 14 commands the State to treat any person equally before the law.
• Article (19) (1) (c) grants citizens the right to form associations or unions.
• Article 21 promises protection of life and personal liberty.
• Article 23 prohibits forced labour.
• Article 24 prohibits employment of children below the age of fourteen years.
• Article 39(a) provides that the State shall secure to its citizens equal right to an adequate means of livelihood.
• Article 41 provides that within the limits of its economic capacity the State shall secure for the Right to work and education.
• Article 42 instructs the State to make provisions for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
• Article 43 orders the State to secure a living wage, decent conditions of work and social and cultural opportunities to all workers through legislation or economic organisation.
• Article 43A provides for the participation of workers in Management of Industries through legislation.

Legal Provisions

• Parliament has passed 3 labour code bills aimed at labour welfare reforms covering more than 50 crores organized and unorganized workers in the country.
• These three Bills are
  
  • Social Security Code, 2020.
  • Code on Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code, 2020
  • Industrial Relations Code, 2020

Source: HT