International Labour day 2023: History, how it is celebrated, Theme, Quotes and wishes

International Workers’ Day or also known as Labor Day is celebrated on May 1, to commemorate the labor movement and the labor force worldwide, as a movement demanding different causes related to work.

Why is Labor Day celebrated?

A little over a hundred years ago, factories were workplaces in which men, women, the elderly and children worked equally, with shifts of more than 12 hours a day. This strenuous working day did not give people the option to recover, rest or enjoy leisure time.

The workers had to fight a lot for years to establish the eight-hour working day, even at the cost of their own lives.

Currently, Workers’ Day has become a festive date, but it must not be forgotten that this date pays tribute to those who fought for a dignified life for all workers.

History of International Workers’ Day

The origins of International Labour day date back to 1886, in the United States. At that time the workers began a struggle to reduce the working day to 8 hours. The only limit that existed was not to make a person work more than 18 hours without just cause and the consequence was a fine of 25 dollars.

The majority union began a strike, starting on May 1, 1886. In Chicago, the confrontations between the police and the workers were especially hard and bloody.

After several days of strike, on May 4 a rally was called in Haymarket Square, with growing tension. That day a device exploded in the square, resulting in the death of a policeman. There were many detainees, of which five of them were sentenced to hang: three journalists, a typographer and a carpenter. They are known as “the Chicago martyrs.”

In honor of the fight for the 8-hour work day and in memory of the Haymarket workers, May 1 is International Labour day.

Theme of World Labour Day

This time the theme of International Labor Day 2023 is– Act together to build a positive safety and health culture.

The theme of International Workers’ Day 2020 was “Uniting the workers for economic as well as social advancement”.

The theme of International Workers’ Day 2019 was “Sustainable Pension for All: The Role of Social Partners”.

The theme for International Workers’ Day in the year 2018 was “uniting workers for social and economic progress”.

The theme of International Labor Day 2016 was “Celebrating the International Labor Movement”.

The theme of International Workers’ Day 2017 was “Celebrate the International Workers’ Movement”.

The theme of International Workers’ Day 2015 was “Let’s build a better future for Cameroon through peace, solidarity and good deeds”.

The theme of International Workers’ Day 2013 was “Give value to work by providing the unemployed with initial capital support.”

The theme of International Workers’ Day 2012 was “Promoting Employment by Helping Visionary Entrepreneurs”.

Achievements obtained by workers

In the fight for their labor claims, workers have achieved contractual rights and benefits that have been recognized by labor legislation, contemplated in contracts and collective labor agreements. Here we mention some of them:

• Reduction of the working day to 8 hours.
• Social Security for workers: Insurance against Diseases, Accidents at Work, Disability and Old Age.
• Pay equality.
• Right to minimum wage.
• Enjoy vacation.
• Bonuses.
• Holiday pay.
• Right to Trade Union Association.
• Right to strike.

International Labor Organization

The International Labor Organization (ILO) is a tripartite agency of the United Nations (UN), which brings together governments, employers and workers from 187 member states.

It was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended the First World War, reflecting the conviction that social justice is essential to achieve universal and permanent peace.

Among the main objectives of this body are the promotion of labor rights, promoting job opportunities, formulating policies and developing programs that promote decent work for men and women. Likewise, stimulate the improvement of the social protection of workers and strengthen dialogue, in addressing issues related to work.

Labor Day in the US and Canada

In countries like the United States and Canada, Labor Day is celebrated . It is a federal holiday, proclaimed by US President Grover Cleveland in September. It was set up this way, out of fear that if it were held in May it could strengthen the socialist movement in the US.

How can you celebrate Labor Day?

To celebrate Labor Day you can support a concentration of workers, where improvements in working conditions are claimed. Check this information in your city, contacting the unions or workers’ associations.

Movies about workers’ labor rights

You can enjoy watching a movie at home, related to labor rights. We recommend some titles, although you have many options to choose from on this topic:

• Modern Times (1936, USA) . Directed by Charles Chaplin, this film narrates the lack of working conditions and the proliferation of protests at the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s in the United States.
• Arcadia (2005, France) . It tells the story of Bruno, a senior executive of a paper mill who is fired along with the entire workforce, going on to survive to guarantee the future of his family. In addition to social denunciation, he is able to keep the viewer in absolute tension until the end.
• The Devil Wears Prada (USA, 2006) . Set in the competitive world of fashion in New York, she tells the relationship between a top executive of a fashion magazine and her young assistant. The character of Meryl Streep is inspired by Anna Wintour, director of Vogue magazine in the United States.
• Nonstop Love (2009, USA) . This movie is based on a layoff company, which is hired by other companies to lay off their employees. The person in charge of this detestable task must travel throughout the country to fulfill his mission.
• Inside Job (2010, USA) . Documentary about the causes and those responsible for the world economic crisis of 2008, which meant the ruin of millions of people who lost their homes and jobs.
• Fair Pay (2010, UK) . In 1968, a group of 200 seamstresses from the Ford Dagenham plant in London organized a strike to demand equal pay with men.

Labour day wishes

• Happy Labor Day! Today we celebrate all the tireless workers who make the progress of our society possible.
• Work is the key that opens the doors of prosperity. Happy Labor Day!
• Success is not achieved only with strength and skill, but also with hard work and dedication. Happy Labor Day!
• On this Labor Day, we honor all the workers who, with their effort and dedication, make the growth of our communities possible.
• Today is a day to recognize and thank all the workers who, day by day, do their bit to make the world a better place. Happy Labor Day!
• Work is the cornerstone of human dignity. Happy Labor Day!
• Success is not achieved only with strength and skill, but also with hard work and dedication. Happy Labor Day!
• Work not only provides us with income, but also a sense of purpose and achievement. Happy Labor Day!
• Every job, no matter how small, is essential to the functioning of our society. Happy Labor Day!
• On this Labor Day, we honor all the workers who, with their effort and dedication, make the growth of our communities possible.
• Happy Labor Day to all the dedicated and hard workers.
• Today we celebrate the work and dedication of those who make the progress and prosperity of our country possible.
• Happy Labor Day! We thank all the workers for their hard work and commitment.
• Work is the key to success and today we celebrate all those who have achieved success through their dedication and effort.
• Today we honor all the workers who make our world a better place.
• Happy Labor Day! May this special day be a reminder of the value of your work and the impact you have on society.
• To all the workers who work hard every day to make our world a better place, I wish you a Happy Labor Day!
• Today we celebrate workers and their achievements. Thank you for making a difference in the world!
• Happy Labor Day to all of you who work tirelessly to make your dreams and goals come true.
• Today we honor the workers who make our country’s progress and prosperity possible. Happy Labor Day!
• This Labor Day , let’s celebrate those who work hard to make our world a better place.
• To all the dedicated workers, we wish you a Happy Labor Day and thank you for your tireless work.
• Happy Labor Day! We thank all workers for their commitment and dedication to making the world a better place.
• Today we celebrate the value of work and thank all workers for their hard work and contribution to the world.
• Happy Labor Day! May this special day be a reminder of the value of your work and the importance it has for society.
• Today is a day to honor all the tireless workers who make progress and prosperity possible in our world.
• To all the workers who strive every day to achieve their goals and make their dreams come true, we wish you a happy Labor Day.
• Today we celebrate workers and their dedication to making our world grow and prosper.
• Happy Labor Day! We thank all the workers for their work and dedication to make our world a better place.
• On this Labor Day, we celebrate the value of work and thank all workers for their contribution to the well-being of society.

Quotes on International Labors’ Day

Many people also take advantage of this date to greet those who do not rest from day to day. That is why we also leave you some famous quotes that you can share this May 1 :

• “Work takes away from us three great evils: boredom, vice and need.” -voltaire _
• “Man was born to work, and only those who work with love and assiduity find fatigue light.” – Saint John Bosco
• “What with a lot of work is acquired, the more is loved.” – Aristotle
• “Blessed is the one who likes the sweetness of work without being its slave.” – Benito Perez Galdos
• “The tastiest bread and the most pleasant comfort are those that are earned with one’s own sweat.” – Cesare Cantu
• “Blessed is he who has a profession that coincides with his hobby.” -George Bernard Shaw
• “The man who has found his job can consider himself blessed and ask for no greater happiness.” -Thomas Carlyle
• “Whenever they ask you if you can do a job, answer yes and start learning how to do it right away.” -Franklin D Roosevelt
• “I’m a big believer in luck, and I’ve found that the harder I work, the luckier I get.” -Stephen Leacock
• “Work on something, so that the devil will always find you busy.” – Saint Jerome
• “How I would like to see everyone with a decent job! It is essential for human dignity.” -Pope Francis
• “When work is a pleasure, life is beautiful. But when it is imposed on us, life is slavery. – Maxim Gorky
• “When one door of happiness closes, another opens. But we tend to stare at the closed door for so long that we don’t see the other one that has been opened for us.” -Helen Keller