On May Day

Published May 1, 2012
A donkey pulls a cariage transporting goods in Kabul on May 1, 2012. The World Bank, one of the major international organisations that have financially supported Afghanistan in the last decade and committed to continue funding Afghanistan, will provide 150 million USD in grant annually to this country, even though rampant corruption has persisted since the last ten years. ? Photo by AFP.
A donkey pulls a cariage transporting goods in Kabul on May 1, 2012. The World Bank, one of the major international organisations that have financially supported Afghanistan in the last decade and committed to continue funding Afghanistan, will provide 150 million USD in grant annually to this country, even though rampant corruption has persisted since the last ten years. ? Photo by AFP.
A Bangladeshi activist gestures during a procession to mark May Day or International Workers Day in Dhaka. ? Photo by AFP.
A Bangladeshi activist gestures during a procession to mark May Day or International Workers Day in Dhaka. ? Photo by AFP.
Elephants perform during a May Day rally at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok. ? Photo by Reuters.
Elephants perform during a May Day rally at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok. ? Photo by Reuters.
Children look at Labour Day posters during an event commemorating Labour Day in Kathmandu. ? Photo by Reuters.
Children look at Labour Day posters during an event commemorating Labour Day in Kathmandu. ? Photo by Reuters.
Maoist activists and supporters, wearing Maoist headbands, attend an event to commemorate Labour Day in Kathmandu. ? Photo by Reuters.
Maoist activists and supporters, wearing Maoist headbands, attend an event to commemorate Labour Day in Kathmandu. ? Photo by Reuters.
Protesters burn an effigy of President Benigno Aquino during a Labour Day march to press their demands for a 125 peso wage hike, during a protest outside the Presidential Palace. ? Photo by Reuters.
Protesters burn an effigy of President Benigno Aquino during a Labour Day march to press their demands for a 125 peso wage hike, during a protest outside the Presidential Palace. ? Photo by Reuters.
Activists stand near a snail statue, with a sticker reading "I want social housing", as they take part in a May Day rally in Taipei. Hundreds of people took to the streets on Tuesday in the annual May Day (Labour Day) parade to demand more labour rights and higher pay. ? Photo by Reuters.
Activists stand near a snail statue, with a sticker reading "I want social housing", as they take part in a May Day rally in Taipei. Hundreds of people took to the streets on Tuesday in the annual May Day (Labour Day) parade to demand more labour rights and higher pay. ? Photo by Reuters.
Protesters act out a skit during a May Day rally in Taipei. Hundreds of people took to the streets on Tuesday in the annual May Day (Labour Day) parade to demand more labour rights and higher pay. The Chinese characters on the blue box read, "High housing price". ? Photo by Reuters.
Protesters act out a skit during a May Day rally in Taipei. Hundreds of people took to the streets on Tuesday in the annual May Day (Labour Day) parade to demand more labour rights and higher pay. The Chinese characters on the blue box read, "High housing price". ? Photo by Reuters.
Indonesian workers display mock dead bodies representing the death of capitalism and imperialism during a rally to mark May Day in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Thousands of Indonesian workers staged the rally demanding the government to raise minimum wage and reject outsourcing. ? Photo by AP.
Indonesian workers display mock dead bodies representing the death of capitalism and imperialism during a rally to mark May Day in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Thousands of Indonesian workers staged the rally demanding the government to raise minimum wage and reject outsourcing. ? Photo by AP.
Laborers load bricks onto a truck at a brick factory on the outskirts of Jammu, India on May Day. ? Photo by AP.
Laborers load bricks onto a truck at a brick factory on the outskirts of Jammu, India on May Day. ? Photo by AP.

On the 1st of May every year, Labour Day (May Day)  is a day for people to celebrate economic and social achievements of workers. Initially, Labour Day started off as a eight -hour day movement. It advocated the idea that people should work eight hours a day, indulge in recreational activities for eight hours a day and also rest for eight hours a day.

Today, Labour Day is "celebrated" in various ways by people all over the world. In some coutries, instead of being an international holiday for workers, it has become more of a international protest day as people rally through the streets for different reasons. While some protest or rest, labourers can still be seen going on with their usual daily routines in certain parts of the world. – Photos by Agencies.

 

 

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...