Historic May Day observed all over India as workers pledge to protect rights

Different trade union bodies, associations and organisations observed the day pledging to protect workers' interests and the principles of the movement.

The day was observed in almost all Government and private offices, besides factories, coal mine and tea garden areas and many business establishments.

Though Left organisations across the globe observe the day with more elaborate programmes, the occasion has a great significance also to those treading a different path, but working for labourers and  white colour workers.

May Day is a nationwide bank and public holiday in India. It's a holiday for all in states like West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura.

Wishing the nation on this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  tweeted : "Today, on Labour Day we salute the determination & hardwork of countless workers who play a big role in India's progress. Shrameva Jayate!,"

In India, May Day assumes an extra dimension as it is associated with the anti-imperialist movement during the British raj.

The first May day celebration was organised by Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan in 1923. This was the first time when red flags were unfurled in the country and the demand for India's independence was raised.

At the international level, the May Day event goes back to the last decades of the nineteenth century, when workers in America organised themselves for eight hours of works a day.

They also demanded eight hours of sleep and eight hours of recreation in their lives.

At the same time, workers in Europe were also carrying on with a movement to establish their rights, which till then, were almost non-existent with an unspecified workload, meagre wages and no facilities for them  being the rule of the day.

The incident of Chicago's Haymarket affair changed the history of labour movement across the globe. On May 4 1886, protesters were peacefully demonstrating in the Haymarket unidentified men hurled bombs prompting police to open fire on demonstrators killing four of them.

The workers claimed that they had no role in the explosion and it was a conspiracy to justify the police action.

As the workers went on a strike in protest the next day, the state militia opened fire on them in the American state of Wisconsin resulting in the death seven people.

The incidents sent a shock wave elsewhere in the globe and further intensified the labour movement and the voice of conscience.

In 1890,  the second international decided to observe the anniversary of Haymarket affai.  The following year, the organisation comprising of communist and workers parties took the decision to observe it annually.

This gave further boost to the demand for eight hours' duty which along with the demand for better wages and working condition was finally accepted all over the world.