International Labour Day, also known as May Day, is celebrated on May 1st every year in many countries around the world. It is a day to celebrate and recognize the contributions of workers to society and to advocate for their rights and fair working conditions.
The origins of International Labour Day date back to the late 19th century when labour movements around the world began to agitate for better working conditions and higher wages. In 1886, a group of workers in Chicago, USA, led a strike demanding an eight-hour workday, which eventually led to violent clashes with the police. In the aftermath, several labour activists were arrested and later executed, and the incident became known as the “Haymarket Affair”.
To honour the workers who fought for better working conditions, the International Socialist Conference declared May 1st as “International Labour Day” in 1889. Since then, the day has been celebrated as a public holiday in many countries around the world, including in most of Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
On this day, workers and labour unions organize marches, rallies, and other events to promote their rights and raise awareness of the challenges they face. The day also serves as a reminder of the importance of fair labour practices, including safe working conditions, fair wages, and other rights.
Indian and international laws made to promote and protection of labourers
There are several Indian and international laws that have been made to promote and protect labourers. India has a complex set of labour laws that govern the employment of workers in different sectors. These laws are designed to protect workers’ rights and ensure fair labour practices. Here are some of the key labour laws in India:
• The Indian Constitution: The Indian Constitution has several provisions that protect the rights of workers. These include the right to work, the right to a fair wage, the right to form and join trade unions, and the right to safe and healthy working conditions.
• The Trade Union Act, 1926: This act provides for the registration and regulation of trade unions in India.
• The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947: This act governs the resolution of disputes between employers and employees in industrial establishments.
• The Minimum Wages Act, 1948: This act sets the minimum wages that must be paid to workers in different industries and occupations, and other benefits to employees in case of sickness, maternity, and employment injury.
• The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952: This act provides for the establishment of provident funds, pension funds, and insurance schemes for employees.
• The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961: This act provides maternity benefits to women employees.
• The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965: This act mandates the payment of an annual bonus to eligible employees.
• The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970: This act regulates the employment of contract labor and provides for their welfare.
• The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972: This act provides for the payment of gratuity to employees who have worked for more than five years in an organization and for the payment of gratuity to employees who have completed a certain period of service.
• The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986: This act prohibits the employment of children in certain industries and regulates their working conditions.
India and Bonded Labour
The abolition of bonded labour was a big breakthrough for labour laws in India. Bonded labour, also known as debt bondage, is a form of modern-day slavery in which a person is forced to work for little or no pay to repay a debt, often incurred by their ancestors. Bonded labour is illegal in India, and the government has taken steps to eradicate this practice.
The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act was enacted in 1976, the act was implemented with a retrospective effect, which declared bonded labour as illegal and made it punishable by law. The act also provides for the rehabilitation of bonded labourers and their families.
The government has also implemented various schemes to address the issue of bonded labour, such as the National Child Labour Project and the Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers Scheme. These schemes aim to identify and rescue bonded labourers and provide them with education, training, and employment opportunities to help them break free from the cycle of debt and exploitation.
Despite these efforts, bonded labour still persists in some parts of India, particularly in the informal sector and in industries such as agriculture, brick kilns, and mining. The government continues to work towards eradicating this practice through increased enforcement of the law, awareness campaigns, and the provision of social and economic support to those affected by bonded labour.
Other international laws and conventions for the protection of labourers
The International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions: The ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that has developed several conventions and recommendations to promote and protect the rights of workers. India is a member of the ILO and has ratified several of its conventions.
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights: This declaration recognizes the right to work, the right to fair wages, and the right to form and join trade unions.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: This convention provides for the protection of children from exploitation in the workplace.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multi-National Enterprises (2011)
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (1994)
These are just a few of the many laws that have been made to promote and protect labourers. There are many other laws and regulations at the national and international level that aim to ensure that workers are treated fairly and with dignity.
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Khubaib Shakeel