Whether you’re a banker, baker or beauty consultant, you probably love the little break from work that you get on the first day of May. It’s International Workers’ Day, that time of the year in which the world sings your praises for the job you do. What’s better than a holiday stuffed with adulation for your contributions to our shared prosperity?
But International Workers’ Day (or Labour Day, as some countries call it) is more than just a 24-hour break from work. It’s a chance to celebrate workers’ freedoms and rights, and to point out the aspects of their welfare and conditions that need to be improved.
Origins of the International Workers’ Day
The origins of the International Workers’ Day go back to the 19th century. Many employees at industrial establishments had to work up to 15 hours every day. Working conditions were rough, and pay was meagre. In time, there was a widespread rebellion of workers against the status quo.
The revolt forced authorities to implement industrial reforms which gave workers more rights. But change didn’t come easily. A protest in one American city turned violent after agitated policemen opened fire on protesters. This incident, known as the Haymarket Affair, was a defining moment for the labour struggle in the US at that time.
An outcome of this push by workers was the formation of labour unions. The idea of organized labour soon spread across the world. And as unions were established in various countries, an annual celebration of workers was widely adopted.
Workers’ Day and the COVID-19 Pandemic
It’s hard to talk about the International Workers Day in 2020 without thinking about the COVID-19 pandemic. The disruption it is causing has forced countless people out of paid employment. Numerous others have been placed on unpaid leave or asked to take salary cuts. The mood around many businesses these days is gloomy. What is there to celebrate?
Governments everywhere on the planet are fighting to keep their countries’ economies going. They are announcing stimulus packages for businesses, granting moratoria on filing tax returns, and offering low-interest loans to entrepreneurs. Some are even assisting employers with paying their workers’ wages.
We can be certain that these hard times won’t last. Economies will eventually rebound, and many who have lost their jobs will find new ones or become gainfully self-employed.
For now, the spotlight is on a particular category of workers. Doctors, nurses and other health workers are leading the fight against COVID-19, and they are receiving credit for this. It’s hoped that they will continue to get positive attention even after the pandemic has passed. Public sector health workers, in particular, will be expecting their conditions of work to improve.
Conclusion
The engines of industrial growth may have slowed down somewhat. But they will be quickened by human labour, as the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic begins to fade. Nigeria’s army of workers will play their part in pushing the country’s economy forward, as they have always done.
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