1sy May is celebrated in India as Maharashtra Day. On 1st
may 1960 Maharashtra gained its statehood, when the state Saurashtra was
divided into two states, Maharashtra and Gujurat. Its now a public holiday for
people in Maharashtra.It is celebrated as Maharashtra day, in Maharashtra and
as a labor day all over India.
Maharashtra day has a short history and its significance but international it
is celebrated as an International Worker's day. It signifies the struggle of
the historic people throughout the world. It is celebrated in every country
expect United States, South Africa and Canada. But it was United States who
proposed to this act on a fight over 8 hours working per day. They wanted every
working person to work only for 8 hours per day and not more than that and to
treat them as a person not a machine.
In 1984, a resolution was passed by the Federation of Organized Traders and Labor Unions to legalize 8 hours working per day for every working individual. It worked for some period but then it failed to implement throughout. In 1986, the resolution called for a strike in order to attend their goals and to implement it at earliest.
In 1984, a resolution was passed by the Federation of Organized Traders and Labor Unions to legalize 8 hours working per day for every working individual. It worked for some period but then it failed to implement throughout. In 1986, the resolution called for a strike in order to attend their goals and to implement it at earliest.
But it took a long time for its implementation. Due
to the strike workers were forced to work Ten, Twelve and Fourteen hours a day.
Due to this the Movement grew rapidly involving more than 2, 50,000 workers
into the protest. Everyone came forward protesting to legalize the act.
The history of May Day, the state, business, mainstream
unions and the media have covered up an entire legacy of dissent in this
country. They are terrified of what a similarly militant and organized movement
could accomplish today, and they suppress the seeds of such organization
whenever and wherever they can. As workers, we must recognize and commemorate
May Day not only for it's historical significance, but also as a time to
organize around issues of vital importance to working-class people today.
As IWW songwriter Joe Hill wrote in one of his most powerful songs:
Workers of the world, awaken!
Rise in all your splendid might
Take the wealth that you are making,
It belongs to you by right.
No one will for bread be crying
We'll have freedom, love and health,
When the grand red flag is flying
In the Workers' Commonwealth.
As IWW songwriter Joe Hill wrote in one of his most powerful songs:
Workers of the world, awaken!
Rise in all your splendid might
Take the wealth that you are making,
It belongs to you by right.
No one will for bread be crying
We'll have freedom, love and health,
When the grand red flag is flying
In the Workers' Commonwealth.
