LABOR DAY: May 1st

COMMENT

LABOR DAY: May 1st

Background, Challenges & Significances

International Workers' Day, also known as Labor Day in some countries and often referred to as May Day, is a celebration of laborers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement and occurs every year on 1 May or the first Monday in May.

The 1 May date was chosen by the "American Federation of Labor" to commemorate a general strike in the United States, which had begun on 1 May 1886 and culminated in the Haymarket affair four days later. The demonstration subsequently became a yearly event.

The first May Day celebrations focused on workers took place on May 1st 1890 after its proclamation by the first international congress of socialist parties in Europe on July 14th 1889 in Paris, France, to dedicate May 1st every year as the "Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity."

But In Nigeria, May Day as a public holiday was first declared by the People Redemption Party (PRP) government of Kano State in 1980. It became a national holiday on May 1, 1981.

It's very important to understand why May day is celebrated globally; it is Celebrated to dedicate May day as the"Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity." But the question is where is the the Unity and solidarity Nowadays???. Nowhere to be found indeed.

Among the critical challenges we're facing is lack of Unity and Solidarity. Hence, Solidarity or solidarism is an awareness of shared interests, objectives, standards, and sympathies creating a psychological sense of unity of groups or classes to perform a specific task.

               "Solidarity is strength, 

                  but division leads 

                           nowhere"

Workers unity is when people in an Office or Working place are living and working together in harmony and love with hardwork, Team work, Commitment and having the aim of achieving a specific Goal.

The unity of humankind is thus underpinned by number of religions: the comments of Romans 12:16

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight"

1 Corinthians 12:26

"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together"

Today, as we all celebrate Labor day, let's imbibe the act of Unity and Solidarity. The important of Unity is Power. Solidarity is a recognition that we are 'all in this together,' and is a commitment to strengthen community and promote a just society. We must see ourselves in others and collaborate toward solutions. 

When people unite with a common vision, commit to it and act decisively with hope and belief, we accomplish a lot and are difficult to stop. 

"And hold fast to the convennant of Allah all together and do not be disunited..." Q 3vs 103

Solidarity is strength, but division leads nowhere. Living in the same global space, having the same motive to perform a specific task, we should stand with each other in the face of risks and challenges. Lack of hardworking and commitment in any Working place or Offices will only give failure, and hinder global development and human progress.

✍️Journalist Wakeel

journalistwakeel@gmail.com