First of May or May Day is observed as International Labour Day across the World. Many countries observe this day as a Public Holiday. It is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival. It is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the celebrations that the day includes. International Workers' Dat , also known as Labour Day in some countries, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes. The date was chosen for International Workers' Day by the Second International, a pan-national organisation of socialist and communist political parties, to commemorate the Haymarket Affair, which occurred in Chicago on 4 May 1886. In the Sixth Conference of the Second International in 1904, this was decided to call on "all Social Democratic Party organisations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on the First of May for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace." The Haymarket affair (also known as the Haymarket massacre) was the aftermath of a bombing that took place at a labor demonstration on Tuesday May 4, 1886, at Haymarket Square in Chicago. It began as a peaceful rally in support of workers striking for an eight hour day and in reaction to the killing of several workers the previous day by the police. An unknown person threw a dynamite bomb at police as they acted to disperse the public meeting. The bomb blast and ensuing gunfire resulted in the deaths of seven police officers and at least four civilians; scores of others were wounded. In the internationally publicised legal proceedings that followed, eight anarchists were convicted of conspiracy. The evidence was that one of the defendants may have built the bomb, but none of those on trial had thrown it. Seven were sentenced to death and one to a term of 15 years in prison. The Haymarket affair is generally considered significant as the origin of international May Day observances for workers. The site of the incident was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1992, and a public sculpture was dedicated there in 2004. Relevance of International Workers Day in our contemporary life
The contentment in work place makes the workers more engaged which in turn translates to higher productivity
Masihul Huq Chowdhury
First of May or May Day is observed as International Labour Day across the World. Many countries observe this day as a Public Holiday. It is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival. It is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the celebrations that the day includes. International Workers Dat , also known as Labour Day in some countries, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes. The date was chosen for International Workers Day by the Second International, a pan-national organisation of socialist and communist political parties, to commemorate the Haymarket Affair, which occurred in Chicago on 4 May 1886. In the Sixth Conference of the Second International in 1904, this was decided to call on all Social Democratic Party organisations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on the First of May for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace. The Haymarket affair (also known as the Haymarket massacre) was the aftermath of a bombing that took place at a labor demonstration on Tuesday May 4, 1886, at Haymarket Square in Chicago. It began as a peaceful rally in support of workers striking for an eight hour day and in reaction to the killing of several workers the previous day by the police. An unknown person threw a dynamite bomb at police as they acted to disperse the public meeting. The bomb blast and ensuing gunfire resulted in the deaths of seven police officers and at least four civilians; scores of others were wounded. In the internationally publicised legal proceedings that followed, eight anarchists were convicted of conspiracy. The evidence was that one of the defendants may have built the bomb, but none of those on trial had thrown it. Seven were sentenced to death and one to a term of 15 years in prison. The Haymarket affair is generally considered significant as the origin of international May Day observances for workers. The site of the incident was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1992, and a public sculpture was dedicated there in 2004.
Significance of International Labour Day:
The day has its origins in the labour union movement, particularly the eight-hour day movement, which supports eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest
May Day has long been a crucial point for demonstrations by various socialist, communist and anarchist groups
May Day has been an important official holiday in countries such as the Peoples Republic of China, North Korea, Cuba, and the former Soviet Union. May Day celebrations typically feature elaborate popular and military parades in these countries
During the Cold War, May Day became intermittent for large military parades in Red Square by the Soviet Union and was attended by the top leaders of the Kremlin, especially the Politburo, atop Lenins Tomb. It became an enduring symbol of that period.
The realization of the 40-hour workweek that has become standard across many American industries was hard fought. It took deadly accidents, employees banding together and a White House willing to listen to make it happen. The Ford Motor Company advanced the idea in 1914, when it scaled back from a 48-hour to a 40-hour workweek after founder Henry Ford believed that too many hours were bad for workers productivity. Many historians credit Roosevelts labor secretary, Frances Perkins, for championing the cause. Perkins was in Manhattans Greenwich Village in 1911 on the day of the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Almost 150 garment workers, mostly women and immigrants, were trapped and killed when the building caught fire. The exits had been blocked a common practice at the time. International Labour Organization (ILO) is an agency located in the United Nations, established to deal with labour issues on international level. It has around 185 members of the total (193) UN member states. It was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 1969 for promoting peace among classes, deal with workers issues, providing them technical assistance in order to develop nations. It deals with all the complaints violating the international rules for labour class people. It has tripartite governing structure means representing governments, employers and workers (usually with a ratio of 2:1:1) in order to create free and open debate between the social partners and governmental body. International Labour Organization secretariat works as an International Labour Office. Its Governing Body has right to plan or take decision about International Labour Conferences, adopting or organising programmes, electing the director-general, dealing with the member states about the labour matters, appointing commissions of inquiry as well as supervising International Labour Office actions. It has around 28 government representatives, 14 employer representatives and 14 worker representatives.
Albert Einstein arguably the most gifted intelligence said A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.While 40 hours work week is standardised across the globe, the advent of technology provides the opportunity to lower down the work hours in order to have a healthy work life balance which in impacts the productivity positively. The contentment in work place makes the workers more engaged which in turn translates to higher productivity. The following areas may help in bringing in the engagement.
1. Reasonable working hours
The working hours need to be regulated, may it be for blue or white collar staffs. The certain deliverables need to be designed for specific workers for the given time. This will help the workers to target the energy in meeting the targets within that specific time period.
2. Low power distance
Dutch sociologist Geert Hofstede has quantified the work culture in more than 100 countries on several parameters, one of which is power distance. A high power distance means that bosses are undisputed kings whose every word is law. U.S. workplaces have a power distance of 40 while Danish workplaceswith a score of 18have the lowest power distance in the world.
In the U.S., if your boss gives you an order, you pretty much do what youre told. In a Danish environment, extremely few direct orders are ever given and employees are more likely to view them as suggestions.This means that Danish employees experience more autonomy and are more empowered at work. Heres just one example: By law, any Danish workplace with more than 35 employees must open up seats on the board for employees, who are elected to the board by their peers and serve on an equal footing and with same voting powers as all other board members.
3. Constant training
There is no alternative to training. The specific training need assessment help understand the required training for the improvement of the workers. This enables the improvement in efficiency and commitment of the workers.
4. A focus on happiness
Happiness at Work is one of the key ingredients towards fostering a congenial work environment. A worker spends the major portion of his daily hours in work place, so the overall environment in the work place plays a critical role in the overall wellness of the worker. Here are a few practical steps we can all take to loosen the grip that stress has on us and win back the balance in our lives. Read on and reap the benefits.
At work place :
Set manageable goals each day. Being able to meet priorities helps us feel a sense of accomplishment and control. The latest research shows that the more control we have over our work, the less stressed we get. So be realistic about workloads and deadlines. Make a to do list, and take care of important tasks first and eliminate unessential ones. Ask for help when necessary.
Be efficient with your time at work.When we procrastinate, the task often grows in our minds until it seems insurmountable. So when you face a big project at work or home, start by dividing it into smaller tasks. Complete the first one before moving on to the next. Give yourself small rewards upon each completion, whether its a five minute break or a walk to the coffee shop. If you feel overwhelmed by routines that seem unnecessary, tell your boss. The less time you spend doing busy work or procrastinating, the more time you can spend productively, or with friends or family.
Ask for flexibility. Flex time and telecommuting are quickly becoming established as necessities in todays business world, and many companies are drafting work/life policies. If you ask,they might allow you to work flexible hours or from home a day a week. Research shows that employees who work flexible schedules are more productive and loyal to their employers.
Communicate effectively. Be honest with colleagues or your boss when you feel youre in a bind. Chances are, youre not alone. But dont just complainsuggest practical alternatives. Looking at a situation from someone elses viewpoint can also reduce your stress. In a tense situation, either rethink your strategy or stand your ground, calmly and rationally. Make allowances for other opinions, and compromise. Retreat before you lose control, and allow time for all involved to cool off. Youll be better equipped to handle the problem constructively later.
Give yourself a break. No ones perfect! Allow yourself to be human and just do the best you can.
At home:
Unplug. The same technology that makes it so easy for workers to do their jobs flexibly can also burn us out if we use them 24/7. By all means, make yourself availableespecially if youve earned the right to flex your hoursbut recognise the need for personal time, too.
Dont over commit. Do you feel stressed when you just glance at your calendar? If youre over scheduled with activities, learn to say, no. Shed the superman/superwoman urge!
Get support. Chatting with friends and family can be important to your success at homeor at workand can even improve your health. People with stronger support systems have more aggressive immune responses to illnesses than those who lack such support.
Stay active. Aside from its well-known physical benefits, regular exercise reduces stress, depression and anxiety, and enables people to better cope with adversity, according to researchers. Itll also boost your immune system and keep you out of the doctors office. Make time in your schedule for the gym or to take a walk during lunchand have some fun!Treat your body right. Being in good shape physically increases your tolerance to stress and reduces sick days. Eat right, exercise and get adequate rest. Dont rely on drugs, alcohol or cigarettes to cope with stress; theyll only lead to more problems. Get help if you need it. Dont let stress stand in the way of your health and happiness. If you are persistently overwhelmed, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional. Asking for help is not a sign of weaknesstaking care of yourself is a sign of strength.
The way we think or act has gone a drastic change over the century since the Haymarket episode. The flexible working hours are gradually becoming the general idea in work place. On this commemoration of The International Workers Day, we profoundly remember the sacrifice made by generations to achieve the ways for a healthy work life balance.
The writer, a banker by profession, has worked both in local and overseas market with various foreign and local banks in different positions
