International Workers’ Day, also known as Workers’ Day, Labour Day in some countries and often referred to as May Day, is a celebrationof labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement which occurs every year on May Day (1 May).
In 1889 an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions designated May 1 as a day in support of workers, in commemoration of the Haymarket Riot in Chicago, 1886.
Five years later, U.S. President Glover Cleveland uneasy with the socialist origins of Workers’ Day, signed legislation to make Labor Day—already held in some states on the first Monday of September—the official U.S. holiday in honour of workers. Canada followed suit not long afterward.
In Europe May 1 was historically associated with rural pagan festivals but the original meaning of the day was gradually replaced by the modern association with the labour movement.
In the Soviet Union, leaders embraced the new holiday, believing it would encourage workers in Europe and the United States to unite against capitalism.
The day became a significant holiday in the Soviet Union and in the Eastern-bloc countries, with high-profile parades, including one in Moscow’s Red Square presided over by top government and Communist Party functionaries, celebrating the worker and showcasing Soviet military might.
In Germany Labour Day became an official holiday in 1933 after the rise of the Nazi Party.
Ironically, Germany abolished free unions the day after establishing the holiday, virtually destroying the German labour movement.
With the breakup of the Soviet Union and the fall of communist governments in eastern Europe in the late 20th century, large-scale May Day celebrations in that region declined in importance. In dozens of countries around the world, however,
In Ghana May Day has been recognized as a public holiday, and it continues to be celebrated with workers rallies and demonstrations in support of workers.
This year’s May Day events will be marked under the theme, “Sustainable Pension for all: The Role of Social Partners,” the TUC has said.
A National May Day Parade will be held at the Black Star Square in Accra from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. That’s according to a statement by the TUC.
The statement which was signed and issued by the General Secretary of Trade Union Congress, (TUC), Dr. Yaw Baah said this year workers will converge at Obra sport at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, 6.00am.
Procession will start at 7.00am through Farisco traffic light to TUC Headquarters, through the old polo grounds then continue to the Black Star Square where workers will be addressed by the Secretary General of TUC (Ghana) on behalf of Organised Labour and the President and the President of Ghana on behalf of the country,” TUC said in the statement.
Below Is The Full Statement
The 2019 “Workers Day of Solidarity” (MAY DAY) falls on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. The working people of Ghana will join millions around the world to celebrate May Day.
Here, in Ghana, May Day will be celebrated by all Organised Labour Groups in all the ten regions under the theme “Sustainable Pension for all: The Role of Social Partners”.
The National May Day Parade will be held at the Black Star Square (Independence Square) in Accra on Wednesday, 1st May 2019 from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm.
H. E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will be the Special Guest of Honour at the National Parade.
This year workers will converge at Obra sport (Kwame Nkrumah Circle) at 6.00am.
The procession will start at 7.00am through Farisco traffic light to TUC Headquarters, through the old polo grounds then continue to the Black Star Square where workers will be addressed by the Secretary General of TUC (Ghana) on behalf of Organised Labour and the President and the President of Ghana on behalf of the country.
All workers are invited to join the celebrations.
LONG LIVE WORKERS’ SOLIDARITY
LONG LIVE GHANA
…SIGNED…
DR YAW BAAH
SECRETARY GENERAL
ACCRA
