Laborers
“The labor movement did not diminish the strength of the nation but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of millions, labor miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of production.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Let’s reflect on the origins of May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, by taking a journey back to the agricultural era of Europe. May 1st marks the beginning of a new season for planting crops, celebrated with rituals and ceremonies invoking divine blessings for a bountiful harvest and communal well-being.
Traditionally, bonfires were lit in Northern Europe on this day, a custom that persists in modern-day England. Initially, May Day was merely a day of rest and relaxation. However, many industrialized nations later designated it as a public holiday to honor the contributions of laborers to the economy, changing its significance.
In the year 1890, demands arose across Western countries to recognize May 1st as International Workers’ Day. Since then, celebrations and commemorations have taken place annually.
In Thailand, the establishment of Labor Day dates back to the years 1953-1956, during the premiership of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat. With the absence of labor laws, labor unions emerged under the names of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Free Labor Association of Thailand. Representatives from these associations participated in labor-related activities abroad, discovering that many countries observed May 1st as “Labor Day.”
On April 20, 1956, a committee convened to commemorate Labor Day, ultimately recommending May 1st as the day of remembrance. The Prime Minister endorsed this recommendation on April 30, 1956, officially declaring May 1st as National Labor Day, later renamed as International Workers’ Day in 1957.
The Labor Protection Act of 1956 granted workers the right to annual leave on National Labor Day, May 1st.
While May Day serves as a tribute to laborers, it also serves as a reminder of their invaluable contribution to the nation’s prosperity across various sectors.
For updates and information on Thai labor, visit the Ministry of Labor’s website at https://www.mol.go.th/
Source: Ramkhamhaeng University Library http://www.lib.ru.ac.th/journal/may/may01-DayForLabor.html
Images: https://www.pexels.com/
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