The Adventure of May 1 as it Becomes a ‘Holiday’

Occupational safety and workers’ rights today compared to the past is of much greater importance. Today, the fact that many countries have taken a more careful stance on the issue dates back decades. This is exactly the reason why we celebrate May 1 every year and once again thank the workers for their efforts.

Have you ever thought about the starting point of May 1, which is still celebrated today, and the Labor and Solidarity Day with its new global name? We have searched for you the story of this holiday, which has survived until today and started with the revolt of the workers. Come, workers together in the face of difficulties Let’s examine the story of winning May 1 together.

Workers’ voices first rose in Australia

The first step that ignited May 1 and pushed workers to take action to improve working conditions came from Australian workers. At that time, most of the world, especially governments and employers, ignored the rights of workers and made workers work like slaves. Workers whose health, even their basic needs and rights are ignoredOne day, he took action against this situation.

Australian stone and construction workers in 1856 held a march to claim the right to an eight-hour day. The march, which continued all the way to the Melbourne University House of Parliament, did not seem to be very effective around the world at that time, but it was the beginning of a great rebellion. Workers realized that they needed to defend their rights, and after 30 years, another action was taken.

Half a million people went on strike in Chicago

When the date shows May 1, 1986 Many workers in the United States Against a work schedule of 12 hours and 6 days per week started a revolt. Their demands were, again, eight hours of work per day, as with the Australian workers. The workers, who went on strike to get their rights, organized protests in Chicago. Nearly half a million workers, filling the four corners, were no longer silent and shouting that they wanted their rights. However, the government soon stepped in and succeeded in suppressing it harshly.

Many workers seeking their rights were not only dismissed from their jobs but also taken to court. Eight of the workers were sentenced to death. Employers unleashed street gangs they hired on their workers who participated in the strike. On May 4, the bosses tried to stop the workers. Haymarket Square Massacre started. Those who were forcibly taken to factories and bullied by the police 4 of the workers were shot dead and many workers were injured. In other words, unfortunately, the workers could not get their rights and their lives became more difficult or ended.

The words of construction worker Albert Persons in court have survived

The workers who were brought to court were expected to apologize for their actions. However, the defense of many workers was not taken into account by the court. Construction worker named Albert Persons, who was promised ‘if you apologize, you will avoid execution’, during the trial “The whole world knows that I am innocent. If I am hanged, I will be hanged not because I am a murderer, but because I am a worker” His words went down in history. Hundreds of thousands of people attended the funeral of Persons, who was executed.

After the events in the USA, which cost the lives and jobs of many workers, the revolt gradually grew. Although at that time Although racism was felt intensely, all workers were united regardless of color. and they were performing together. The government, on the other hand, was putting legal pressure on the workers to prevent new demonstrations.

After the voices were raised all over the world, May 1 was accepted as a holiday.

Workers in other countries also began to defend their rights. Workers in France, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, England, Italy and Spain were trying to make their voices heard by organizing rallies and meetings. However, after these rallies and meetings Solidarity actions became massive in Germany and public gatherings were banned.

On July 14 – July 21, 1889, the French workers’ representative in the Second International, in the face of the events they faced, declared the day of May 1 all over the world. Celebrating ‘Unity, Struggle and Solidarity Day’ suggested. The representative’s proposal was accepted. When the dates showed 1 May 1890, one year after it was accepted as a holiday, unprecedented demonstrations were held all over the world. Years passed, and many countries passed the eight-hour day law, for which workers gave their life and work.

In our country, official celebrations started in 2008 as Labor and Solidarity Day.

in Turkey May 1 was officially celebrated for the first time in 1923. started. The celebrations in which the workers and laborers of our country participated in “Labor and Solidarity Day” Celebration with the name was made legal. It was published in the Official Gazette on April 27, 2009, and May 1 was declared as a public holiday.

Unfortunately, the acceptance of May 1 as the Workers and Laborers’ Day; numerous execution of the worker, committing suicide with the thought of being executed in prisons and at best losing his job It has such a sad story. Today, although we can sometimes complain about our working conditions and our experiences, we can say that the current situation cannot be compared to the past.

Today, we told about the painful adventure of May 1, which caused us a deep sadness. On this occasion, all of our workers and toilers, everyone who strives with their teeth and nails to earn their money. Let’s celebrate May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day once again.