International labour’s Day is observed on 1st May of each year to symbolize global solidarity with workers and renews the commitment to improving their economic circumstances.
This day commemorates the 1st May, 1886 Chicago workers’ protest against capitalist exploitation. Despite police violence, many bravely advocated for their rights, with some paying the ultimate price.
In Pakistan labour day celebrations began in 1973 under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s leadership.The Since then the public holiday is announced on this day across the country
It’s ironic that on the day dedicated to celebrating workers, many of them continue to toil to provide for their families
History :
Labour Day’s origins can be traced to 19th century United States, where workers were engaged in a struggle for their rights. In 1886, a significant strike occurred, with approximately 200,000 American laborers advocating for an eight-hour workday. However, the movement escalated into violence in Chicago, becoming known as the Haymarket Affair.
This incident marked the beginning of International Labour Day. In 1889, many socialist parties in Europe came together to celebrate May 1 as International Labour Day and since then it has been celebrated every year on the same day. In many countries, Labour Day is linked with International Workers Day. In many countries, this day is celebrated on a different date, mostly it is linked to the labour movement of that country.
How is Labour Day celebrated?
In most countries, Labour Day is a national holiday. On this day, several events and seminars are being organised to highlight the achievements and contributions of workers. In many places, people leverage this opportunity to spread awareness about workers and their rights through posters and banners.
Plight of Labourers in Pakistan :
Labour leaders emphasize that many private sector workers in Pakistan lack access to essential social security benefits and face challenges with the enforcement of minimum wage policies.
They stress the importance of worker representation in legislative bodies to enact meaningful protections. Therefore, they call on all political parties to allocate dedicated seats for workers to ensure their voices are heard and their rights upheld.
Theme of International Labour Day 2024:
This year, the theme for International Labour Day is “to ensure workplace safety and health amidst climate change” .
labour rights in Islam :
Islam is a religion of peace teaches fulfilling the rights of everyone including workers and laborers. In this world, some of us are bosses and some of us are workers. But the Boss has no superiority over the worker. The Boss is supposed to treat the worker like his/her own brother/sister. The boss is supposed to fulfill all the rights.
It is mentioned in the Quran
“Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees (of rank) that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate.” (Az-Zukhruf 43:32)
The least that a boss can do is pay the wages of their employees honestly and on time.
Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, “Pay the worker his wages before his sweat has dried.” (Sunan Ibn Ma¯jah 2443)
And the commandments go beyond the simple payment of wages.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said: “Your employees are your brothers upon whom Allah has given you authority, so if a Muslim has another person under his control, he/she should feed them with the like of what one eats and clothe them with the like of what one wears and you should not overburden them with what they cannot bear and if you do so, help them in their jobs.”
And the Prophet PBUH has exemplified this through his own behavior. As an employer, he used to sit on the floor and eat with his servant boy Anas ibn Malik, who served him for ten years. Anas is reported to have said that the Prophet (PBUH) never rebuked him for anything: “When I did something, he never questioned my manner of doing it; and when I did not do something, he never questioned my failure to do it. He was the most good-natured of all men.”
When it comes to contracts, remember the teachings of the Quran
Allah says in the Qur’an “O you who believe, fulfill your contracts.” (Al-Ma’idah 5: 1)