SHRINI. K. SENAVIRATHNA
COLOMBO — Every year on May 1st, the world pauses to mark International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day or May Day, a day rooted in the struggle for workers’ rights and shaped by over a century of protest, reform, and resistance.
The origins of May Day trace back to the Haymarket Strike in Chicago, USA, on May 4, 1886. Workers demanding an eight-hour workday clashed with police, resulting in the deaths of 11 workers, over 130 injured, and nearly 100 arrests. This turning point in labor history ignited a wave of activism across the globe and inspired the annual commemoration of May Day as a symbol of working-class resilience.
May Day in Europe: From Protest to Policy
In Southern Europe, the movement gained traction as early as the late 19th century. Citizens of Slovenia and Croatia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, were among the first to adopt May Day. Serbia followed with its first May Day rally in 1893, driven by low wages, long hours, and harsh working conditions.
After World War I, accelerated industrial growth and the impact of the Russian Revolution stirred widespread demands for workers’ rights. By 1933, under the Nazi regime, Germany officially recognized May Day as a public holiday—though it simultaneously dismantled independent labor unions.
British Roots and Asian Awakening
In London, May Day celebrations began in 1890, and the spirit soon spread to Sri Lanka, where the first organized labor action dates back to 1893. That year, printing workers at H. W. Cave and Company launched a strike that led to the formation of the country’s first trade union—the Printing Workers’ Union. The broader labor movement that grew from this moment now spans over 130 years.
The first May Day rally in Sri Lanka was held in 1933, spearheaded by A. E. Gunasinghe, a trailblazer in the island’s labor movement. The procession started from Price Field in Colombo and made its way to Galle Face Field, setting the tone for future rallies.
A Day of Celebration or a Reminder of Promises Unkept?
While May Day is observed in various forms across nations—some declaring it a public holiday, others moving it to a different date or not recognizing it at all—it remains a critical day for reflection and advocacy.
In Sri Lanka, estate workers, among the country’s most marginalized communities, continue to struggle for basic dignity. At last year’s rally of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress held at Kotagala Public Stadium, the then-President promised to increase the daily wage of estate workers to Rs. 1,700. Yet, as many workers report, this promise has yet to materialize.
This May Day, as flags wave and parades unfold, the world must remember that the roots of this day lie not only in celebration, but in the unfinished struggle for justice, fair wages, and equality. It is not just a date on the calendar—it is a call for action.
