Workers Day 2020: What Do We Miss? 

Every day we use the term “Work” Hey Bill, I have to go to work, hectic day at work, Where do you work? Amongst others. Work has become a word synonymous with “Means of livelihood”. The COVID- 19 pandemic opens the conversation on job security for workers as an essential, they will likely be the most hit in the aftermath.

International Workers’ Day or Labour Day referred to as May Day because it comes on the 1st of May annually is a celebration of laborers, working-class promoted by the international labor movement which occurs every year.

Origin of workers day started with the Haymarket affair, which took place in Chicago, in the United States, in 1886. It began as a peaceful gathering, with elites of the century, addressing laborers and issues ranging from work hours to paychecks. Just as a speaker was finishing his speech, police arrived en masse, marching in formation towards the speakers’ wagon, and ordered the rally to disperse, the speaker insisted the rally was peaceful.

A home-made bomb was thrown from an unidentified source on the path of the advancing policemen killing and wounding officers. This rally remained a foci point for all May first celebrations of worker’s day. A day set apart to celebrate the struggles and victory of laborers – Who have been forced to work up to 16 hours in ‘sometimes’ unfavorable conditions, and subsequently, all workers around the world. 

In 1889, the international organization for workers and socialists declared that May 1 would be International Workers’ Day from then on. The Haymarket affair galvanized the broader labor movement.

In the US, however, the eight-hour workday wasn’t recognized until it was turned into law in 1916, after years of strikes, protests, and actions in favour of it.

Everyone who takes a paycheck home is a worker, we are all workers regardless if you have your own firm or not, you wake up and earn a living, and you are a worker.

How is this year’ different?

This year, as workers celebrate the May 1st that has become a symbol of the success of struggle, most workers today live in fear of losing their job. A couple of days ago, oil prices crashed putting at risk, millions of workers who are employed in the oil sector. The banking sectors are largely announcing losses and are threatening to cut down staff. Thousands of small scale enterprises all over the globe have cut down staff strength. In the COVID-19 projected aftermath, the most hit of the entire population are workers. The health sector is filled with workers who put their lives on the line for the world. The most hit persons in the COVID-19 pandemic are workers. When all these are over, the conversation on global job security should be initiated, workers have the right to job security.

The COVID-19 Worker’s day, what we miss?

Worker’s day is commemorated by public celebrations, events, topical discussions and conferences, sporting festivals, games, trips, fireworks displays, picnics, barbecues. It is characterized by congestion on the highways and at airports, public transit systems have a break down in schedules to factor in all the movements. This year, we miss the thrill, everyone is at home, wishing to be anywhere but home. Worker’s day is a public holiday in most countries, it is looked forward to and plans are made before the date, most persons would want it as a day to stay indoor with families and have a good rest. This year everyone wishes to go back to work!