International Labour Day 2021, marred by the Covid-19 virus and its repercussions on labourers

The International Labour Day, also known as InternationalDay of Workers, is celebrated on May 1st and is devoted to both workers and labourers around the world. This day honours workers and helps them to be conscious of their rights.

In 1923 on May 1st the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan celebrated the first 'May Day' in Madras, India. The communist leader MalayapuramSingaraveluChettiar then demanded that the government declare this day a national holiday in order to recognise and honour the contributions of all workers. May Day is also celebrated as 'KamgarDiwas', 'Kamgar Din', and 'AntrarashtriyaShramikDiwas' in India.

The roots of Labour Day can be traced back to the nineteenth-century labour union movement in the United States. In 1889, the Marxist International Socialist Congress passed a resolution calling for a large international protest demanding that workers not be forced to work upwards of 8 hours a day. It became an annual tradition afterwards, and May 1st was designated as Labour Day.

Besides India many nations, like the People's Republic of China, North Korea, Cubaobserve Labour Day as a national holiday.

Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in a statement released on May Day, called on workers, employers, governments, international organisations, and those who are dedicated to recuperating the world to come together to bring about a world of work that is just and dignified and justice for everyone.

The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the world of work, devastating employment, businesses, and livelihoods, plunging millions into poverty, and reversing global prosperity. And, as other disasters, it has disproportionately affected the poorest and most disadvantaged, exacerbating an oftenoppressed society.

This only makes this year’s International Labour Day celebrations all the more important to stand in solidarity along with labourers, providing him support and assistance of any kind to enable their lives.

A new theme is chosen for International Labour Day annually, but there is no new theme for 2021. As a result, we must proceed with the 2020 theme of "maintaining safety and security at the workplace".