Here's the History of Labour Day in Malaysia

To most of us, Labour Day is just one of those days we just kick back and relax. But have you ever wondered why there's Labour Day? 

The History of Labour Day

For the rest of the world, the origins of Labour Day can be traced back to April 15, 1872, when the Toronto Trades Assembly organised Canada's first significant demonstration for worker's rights.

In the late 1800s, trade unions were still banned. At first, the Canadian demonstrations campaigned for nine-hour work days for workers. After that, the workers' movement in the United States campaigned for the standard eight-hour workday.

Back then, the industrial era was notorious for exploiting workers, as workers have no choice but to work long hours. The workers were already pushing to shorten the working hours without a cut in pay, but it wasn't until the late 1880s that organised labour was able to accumulate enough power to declare the 8-hour workday.

Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest and eight hours for recreation.

In 1882, a machinist named Matthew Maguire, first suggested the holiday while working as secretary of the Central Labour Union of New York after observing the annual labour festival held in Toronto, Canada.

The present celebration of Labour Day has its roots in the labour union movement, particularly the eight-hour workday movement, which promoted eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

1 May was then chosen to be International Workers' Day in order to honour the 4 May 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, when a labour rally turned violent, with a bomb triggered that killed over eight people.

Labour Day is used interchangeably with International Worker’s Day, which is celebrated on 1 May for most nations worldwide.

Labour Day in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the Labour Day celebration began when former Deputy Prime Minister, the late Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman declared 1 May as a public holiday for workers on 20 May 1972 at Dewan Belia in Kuala Lumpur.

This announcement was viewed as powerful because not only does Malaysia recognise the contribution of workers but it also shows that the country is in agreement with the decisions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention, which established 1 May as Labour Day.

Today, Labour Day is still celebrated in our country. The role of workers has become more relevant as their commitment and dedication will decide the survival and sustainability of business organisations and companies in the long run.

Labour Day Around The World

Labour Day is also celebrated in some 80 countries around the globe which includes Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, China, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, North Korea, Norway, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam, among others.

In Australia, workers celebrate Labour Day in March or October, depending on what territory they reside in. In the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and South Australia, Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday in October. In Western Australia, Labour Day is the first Monday in March, and in Nothern Territory, it's called May Day and happens on the first Monday in May.

In Canada, Labour Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September since the 1880s. The origins of the celebration can be traced back to December 1872 when a parade was staged in support of the Toronto Typographical Union's strike for a 58-hour work-week.

In New Zealand, Labour Day is a public holiday held on the fourth Monday in October. Its origins are traced back to the eight-hour working day movement that began in 1840, originally because of carpenter Samuel Parnell's refusal to work more than eight hours a day.

Although the date varies across countries, it usually befalls around May 1 and it is linked with the start of the spring season as well as the celebration of workers.

Labour Day started out as a collective need to uplift what were then deplorable and life-threatening working conditions in the late 19th century. Today, workers are united to ensure such exploitation will never happen again.

To all our faithful readers, we would like to wish you a Happy Labour Day. You earn it, enjoy your day off!

Source: Malaysian Digest

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