Labour Day is celebrated on the 1st of May in many countries including India, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Iran, and Jordan to name a few. The day is dedicated to the laborers and workers. Laborers around the world toil hard to make a living. A special day has been dedicated to celebrating their hard work and determination. In most countries, the 1st of May has been marked as Labour Day.
Long and Short Essay on Labour Day
Essay 1 (250 words)
Introduction
Labour Day is set to celebrate the hard work and achievements of the labor class. It is celebrated on different days in different countries. However, in most countries, the day occurs on the 1st of May that happens to be International Workers’ Day.
The Origin of Labour Day
The condition of the laborers was very poor in earlier times. They were required to toil hard and work for up to 15 hours a day. They suffered injuries and faced other horrible problems at their workplace. Despite the hard work put in by them, these people were paid meager wages. The increasing number of health problems incurred by these people due to the long working hours and lack of good sources to get those problems cured led to the labor unions raising voice against this system.
Agitated laborers formed unions that fought for their rights for quite a while. Following this, the 8-hour work shift was set for the laborers and working-class people. This is also referred to as the eight hour day movement. As per this, a person should work only for eight hours. He must get eight hours for recreation and eight hours for rest. Labour Day has its origin in this movement.
Though the history and origin of Labour Day differ in different countries however the main reason behind it remains the same and that is unfair treatment of the labor class. It was quite unfortunate that the class of people that contributed immensely towards the infrastructural development of the country was treated poorly. Various movements took place against this in different parts of the world and this day finally came into being.
Conclusion
The labor class is indeed the one that requires indulging in various laborious tasks. A special day to appreciate and recognize their contribution towards society is certainly well-deserved.
Essay 2 (400 words)
Introduction
Labour Day, a special day dedicated to the laborers and working-class people, is a public holiday in most of the countries. It is celebrated on the 1st of May in more than 80 countries. Canada and the United States observe it on the 1st Monday of September. Many countries have their own dates to celebrate this date. However, the reason for the celebration remains the same and that is to celebrate the hard work of the labor class.
Labour Day in India – History, and Origin
Labour Day in India was first celebrated on 1st May 1923. This celebration was held in the Indian state of Madras by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan. On this day, Comrade Singaravelar organized two meetings at different places in the state. One of these was organized at Triplicane Beach and the other one was arranged at the beach opposite Madras High Court. He passed a resolution stating the government must announce a national holiday on this day.
Labour Day in the Different Indian States
In India, Labour Day is known by the name Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas or Kamgar Din. However, different states in the country call it by different names. In Tamil it is known as Uzhaipalar Dhinam, in Malayalam, it is known as Thozhilaali Dinam and in Kannada, it is referred to as Karmikara Dinacharane.
1st May in the state of Maharashtra is also celebrated as Maharashtra Day and in Gujarat, it is celebrated as Gujarat Day. This is because, in the year 1960 on this very date, Maharashtra and Gujarat attained statehood.
Labour Day in India – Celebration
Just as in various other parts of the world, Labour Day is a day of celebration for the people belonging to the labor class in India too. On this day, protests are carried out against any unjust practice being followed against the laborers by any organization. Processions are also carried out to demonstrate that the laborers stand united and will not tolerate any unreasonable demand by the capitalists. Speeches are delivered by prominent leaders to promote unity amid the laborers. Labour unions also conduct picnics and other recreational activities.
Conclusion
The origin of Labour Day exemplifies how nothing is impossible if we stand united. Trade unions were formed and they stood strong against the unjust treatment of the laborers. Though, the exploitation of the labor class by the Capitalists was always evident no one took action against it. The joint efforts of the trade unions forced the government to make laws favoring the laborers.
Essay 3 (500 words)
Introduction
Labour Day, as the name suggests, is celebrated to honor the hard work done by the laborers as well as to honor those who went out of their way to fight for the rights of the laborers. The day is celebrated on the 1st of May each year in most of the countries including India.
Labour Day Celebration –Then and Now
Laborers were given their due rights after a lot of struggle. Those who toiled hard recognized its importance much more. The day held a special significance for them. Thus, in most of the countries, the Labour Day celebration initially included paying honor to the union leaders who took the lead as well as inspired others to fight for their rights. Speeches were made by prominent leaders and laborers spent time together, making merry.
Trade unions conducted special lunches and dinners or organized picnics and outings for their team of laborers. Campaigns and parades were carried out to celebrate the worker’s rights. Fireworks were also done.
While campaigns and parades are still carried out on this day by trade unions in many organizations and group lunches and picnics are also organized, many people these days just see this day as an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. They spend time completing their pending household tasks or go out with their friends and family.
In countries such as Canada and the United States where Labour Day is celebrated on the 1st Monday of September, people enjoy the long weekend. They usually plan family outings or go out with friends. It offers them the much-needed respite from the daily grind. People look forward to it as a holiday time. Speeches are also delivered to promote unity among workers.
In countries like Canada, Labour Day Classic matches are organized to rejoice this day. Many people go to watch these matches live while others simply laze around in their house watching its live telecast.
In the United States, retailers put up-sale during this time. The sale of products boosts a great deal around this time. It is said that people shop a lot during this time. Sales did at this time come next only to the sales done around Christmas time. People particularly indulge in back-to-school shopping at this time.
Countries that Celebrate Labour Day
Many countries around the world celebrate Labour Day. Some of these include Australia, Bangladesh, Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Libya, Somalia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, and Morocco.
The date of celebration in these countries varies. In Australia, it varies within the country. While some parts of Australia celebrate it in October, others celebrate the day in March while yet others celebrate it in May. Bangladesh celebrates the day in April while the Bahamas celebrates it in June. However, most of the countries celebrate Labour Day on the 1st of May.
Conclusion
The history and origin of Labour Day vary from country to country. Laborers and trade unions in different countries underwent a lot of struggle. Protests were done and rallies were carried out. It took a long time for the government to make laws against the unjust treatment of the labor class by the industrialists. A special day to celebrate the efforts put in by the laborers was subsequently recognized.
Essay 4 (600 words)
Introduction
Labour Day is a special day dedicated to the labor class to recognize their hard work and efforts. It is celebrated across the globe in various countries. In most of the countries, it is celebrated on the 1st of May that happens to be the International Workers’ Day. The history and origin of Labour Day differ in different countries.
Labour Day – The Origin of the Idea
With the growth of industrialization in Canada towards the end of the 19th century, the labor class became loaded with work. Their number of working hours and the amount of work increased drastically while their wages continued to be meager. They were exploited to the core and this exploitation caused a lot of distress among them. Many of them fell ill due to the constant workload and many even lost their life owing to this reason. In order to raise their voice against this injustice, laborers from different parts of the country joined hands. They carried out various movements against the tyranny of the capitalist class.
Labour Day in Canada
In Canada, Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September. The labor class in the country was given its rightful rights after a lot of struggle. A number of movements were carried out in this direction by the labor unions.
It was the Toronto Printers Union that demanded lesser working hours in the early 1870s. In March 1872, they went on strike to get their demands fulfilled. They also conducted demonstrations for the rights of the workers. The printing industry in the country suffered immense losses due to this strike. Trade unions were formed in other industries too and soon they all came together to raise their voice against the industrialists.
Around 24 leaders were arrested for instigating people to go on strike. Going on strike was an offense at that time. The law did not even allow the formation of trade unions. However, the protests continued and they were soon released. A few months later, a similar parade was organized in Ottawa. This forced the government to revise the law against the trade unions. The Canadian Labour Congress was eventually formed.
Labour Day in the United States
During the late 19th century, the trade unions in the United States suggested a special day to mark the contribution of the labor class towards society.
The growing exploitation of the labor class in the United States led to the Central Labour Union and Knights of Labour joining hands. Together, they led the first parade that marked a significant movement against the industrialists who were exploiting the laborers by paying them meager wages and forcing them to work for long hours. The first parade was held in New York City. Workers from various organizations participated in it to stand for the cause. Their demands were eventually heard.
In the year 1887, Labour Day was observed as a public holiday for the first time in Oregon. By 1894 as many as 30 states in the United States began celebrating Labour Day. The day is celebrated to honor the American Labour Movement.
Alternatively, it is said that it was Peter J. McGuire from the American Federation of Labour who first suggested that a special day must be dedicated to the laborers. He came up with the proposal in May 1882 after having seen the annual labor festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Just as in Canada, Labour Day in the United States is also celebrated on the 1st Monday of September each year.
Conclusion
Labour Day is a time to relax and rejuvenate. It is also the time to honor those who fought for the rights of the laborers and brought about reforms. It is only because of the few people who came forward and encouraged others to do so too that the laborers were given their lawful rights.
