History of 'May Day'

Since it is 'May Day' today, or May 1 where people celebrated Labor Day, I will be sharing with you a little bit about the history on this. This is the day that changed the history of working. 

When I asked people what do they understand about May 1, they would say that today is a 'bonus day' for them and workers all around the world. Where every workers get to have a 'me time' from work and enjoy their holiday. Some even said that its an acknowledgement for all workers. 

But can you imagine, out of 365 days in a year, how logic it is for a worker to have a one-off holiday? That is absurd. 

Even though it's a day off, that doesn't mean Labor Day is a day for employees to rest and take a day off. 

How it happened 

In the 80s, Americans adopted an economic system known as the 'laissez faire' during the Gilded Age (1865-1900) where the government does not interfere with any economic matters. Because of this, their industry is booming and America is the largest economy in the world

'May Day' came about because of workers' strike who were then forced to work 12-14 hours a day, some even 16 hours a day! No day off. Child labor is common because there is no law that compels children to attend school.

Conflicts broke out on the 3 to 4 May 1886 between the capitalists and the workers, and the conflict was called the Haymarket Affair.

In 1888, 2 years after the strike, the American Federation of Labor declare 1 May as a Labor day. 

Teddy Roosevelt (1901-1909) made a decision that changed the history where he only allowed a maximum of 8 hours or working a day and forbidden any child labor, and imposed legal control over large companies. 

However in Malaysia, Labor Day was still not recognized until Tun Dr. Ismail, Deputy Prime Minister at the time announced May 1 as Labor Day and public holiday in 1972.

This is because the idea of Labor Day celebration was opposed by the government which at the time practiced laissez faire economy. They fear that May 1 will be "ridden" by the left (socialist and communist).

Below is a daily newspaper article February 25, 1960.

This is thanks to Tun Abdul Razak (Prime Minister) who was exposed to ideas of socialism by attending Harold Laski's lecture at the London School of Economics and joining the Fabian Society as well as the Labor Party.

Although Tun Razak was not a socialist, the idea of socialism on social justice, equality and labor rights had influenced the direction of his government.

So, the leave you get on Labor day is not because of the generosity of the capitalists, but the struggle of the workers to defend their rights and their future generations.