May Day commemoration

The International Workers' Day popularly known as May Day has its origin in the United States of America but the day is not observed in that country or in Canada. This anachronism issues from the rival political systems of capitalism and socialism favoured by the US and the socialist bloc led by the Soviet Union. While an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions in 1889 decided to commemorate the Haymarket labour unrest and the following riot in which both workers and law enforcers died, America started distancing itself from the event's celebration. It was the first organised protest against labour exploitation and demand for eight working hours a day. If the socialists wanted to unite workers all across the world with the explicit aim of promoting socialism, the US under President Grover Cleveland, true to its capitalist character, felt unease with the socialist origin of the Haymarket tragedy in Chicago. So, Cleveland signed legislation on June 28, 1894 for official celebration of the Labor Day on the first Monday of September in recognition of labour movement and workers' contributions.  

However, in large parts of the world, including the West Europe, the May Day did not lose its appeal. Yet the designation of two separate days for observance of workers' rights and contributions to economic and human progress has certainly undermined its international sway. The US and Canada, with the former leading the world economy so long, have successfully deflated the attempt to have a united workers' platform or front that would be stronger as an international bargaining agency outside of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) under the United Nations. It is clear that even in developed democracies exploitation of the working class has not ceased to be. With the artificial intelligence gaining ground, large-scale automation now threatens to make several categories of manual labourers redundant in factories, industries and the service sector. Ironically, Donald Trump's 'America First' policy is not for the working class but proving beneficial to the rich and the superrich.

At home, robotic application is yet to be markedly discernible but automation in industries including the country's preeminent garment sector has already made quite an impact. In the days to come, some areas of RMG employment will be totally off limit to the traditional garment workers. Not only garment workers but also those of other manufacturing units in this country and elsewhere have always been discriminated against. Trump's reciprocal tariff policy and the increasing introduction of AI lurk as an assassin to pound on unskilled and semi-skilled workers, turning their future uncertain and bleaker than ever before.

Against outrageous and ugly wealth accumulation by the rich and superrich, sections of people are finding themselves to be consigned to perpetual poverty, ill health and hygiene, illiteracy and deprivation for generations. The May Day is, in fact, more relevant today because the principle of 'right to work' or a decent livelihood option for all has to be established by any means. There is a limit to acquiring or expanding capitals and fuelling consumerism in the interests of the wealthy classes. People leading extreme lavish life and savouring limitless luxuries ought to have felt ill at ease or embarrassed in the face of starvation and dehumanisation ---an outcome of the exploitative system.

On the occasion of the May Day, this privileged class everywhere should reflect on the purpose of wealth accumulation. Wealth becomes priceless if it is put at  humanity's service. Workers also must prepare themselves to be equal to the fresh challenges.