International Labour Day – Historical Roots, Contemporary Relevance, and Future Pathways

International Labour Day, observed on May 1st, is more than a ceremonial tribute to workers. It is a reflection of historical struggles, evolving labor policies, and emerging socio-economic challenges. In a rapidly transforming world of work, International Labor Day continues to serve as a critical lens through which labor equity, dignity, and sustainability are examined.

History of International Labour Day: The Birth of a Global Movement

The inception of International Labour Day is deeply rooted in the late 19th-century American labour movement, particularly the Haymarket Affair of 1886 in Chicago. The protest, demanding an 8-hour workday, turned violent, leading to deaths and wrongful convictions. Though tragic, the incident inspired international solidarity for labor rights.

Timeline of Key Developments

Year	Event	Impact
1886	Haymarket Incident, Chicago	Brought global attention to labor conditions
1889	Second International declares May 1 as Workers’ Day	Institutionalized global observance
1923	India observes International Labour Day for the first time in Chennai	Start of formal labor recognition in India
Post-1947	Constitutional and legal protections to workers in India	Articles 14, 16, 23, 24, and labor codes

International Labour Day thus emerged not as a symbolic celebration, but as a historically contested space of class struggle and organized resistance.

International Labour Day 2025: Unique Features and Contemporary Themes

International Labour Day 2025 is unique in its focus on technology-induced job transformation, informal labor integration, and gender equity in workspaces. Amidst the rise of artificial intelligence, climate policy, and global migration, labor policy debates are shifting significantly.

Unique Themes of 2025

• Gig and Platform Economy: As per NITI Aayog (2022), over 7.7 million workers are engaged in gig work. This number is expected to reach 23.5 million by 2030.
  
• AI Disruption: WEF estimates 44% of workplace tasks may be automated by 2027, pushing for reskilling and protection.
  
• Climate and Just Transition: A 2023 ILO report emphasizes green jobs as a future frontier for labor absorption.
  

Thus, International Labour Day 2025 is a moment to reimagine the nature of work and the protection of rights in a post-industrial economy.

Celebration and Recognition: How Nations Observe International Labor Day

International Labour Day is celebrated with policy announcements, awareness programs, and worker-centered initiatives across the globe. It is a day of reflection for governments, trade unions, educational institutions, and civil society.

Global and Indian Modes of Celebration

Country	Mode of Celebration	Distinct Feature
India	Rallies, labor union meetings, workshops	Rallies, labor union meetings, and workshops
China	Week-long holiday with cultural programs	Honors model workers
Germany	Public demonstrations by trade unions	Political speeches on labor rights
South Africa	Commemorations led by COSATU	Focus on anti-apartheid labor history

In India, International Labour Day is gaining momentum in universities and policy forums, particularly around debates on labor codes and social security expansion.

Government Initiatives in India: Aligning Policy with Labor Rights

India’s approach to International Labour Day is shaped by a mix of constitutional commitments and evolving administrative reforms. Recent efforts aim to codify fragmented labor laws and extend protections to previously excluded worker classes.

Major Labor Policy Reforms :

1. Four Labor Codes (2020)

• Consolidated 29 existing labor laws into four simplified codes: Wages, Social Security, Occupational Safety, and Industrial Relations.
  
• Ensures wider legal protection for informal, gig, and platform workers through formal recognition and compliance mechanisms.
  

2. e-Shram Portal (2021)

• National database for unorganized workers with a unique 12-digit e-Shram ID for social security schemes.
  
• Enables policy targeting and benefit portability for migrant laborers across states.
  

3. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM)

• Provides ₹3,000 monthly pension post-retirement to unorganized workers earning below ₹15,000/month.
  
• The government contributes 50% of the premium, incentivizing long-term savings.
  

4. Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana

• The government pays both the employer and the employee EPF contributions (24%) for two years for new hires in eligible establishments.
  
• Encourages post-COVID job creation and formal employment, especially among small and medium enterprises.
  

5. One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC)

• Allows migrant workers to access subsidized food from any PDS shop in India using their ration card.
  
• Benefits over 81 crore people, especially inter-state seasonal workers.
  

6. Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017

• Increases paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks for working women in establishments with 10+ employees.
  
• Mandate crèche facilities for establishments with 50+ workers, supporting working mothers.
  

7. Skill India Mission & PMKVY

• Offers short-term, industry-aligned training to youth and informal workers across sectors like construction, retail, and IT.
  
• Over 1.3 crore people trained since inception, improving employability in both formal and informal sectors.
  

8. National Career Service (NCS) Portal

• Online platform linking job seekers with verified employers across sectors; special focus on marginalized groups.
  
• Provides career counseling, vocational training, and job fairs for organized and unorganized workers.
  

9. Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation) Act, 2014

• Legalize street vending, offer identity cards, and protect vendors from harassment and eviction.
  
• Town Vending Committees ensure fair allocation of vending zones and inclusion in urban planning.
  

10. Draft National Policy for Domestic Workers

• Proposes legal recognition, minimum wages, paid leave, and social security for over 4 crore domestic workers.
  
• Aims to bridge gender and class gaps in India’s labor protection architecture.

On International Labour Day, these initiatives serve not only as policy instruments but also as commitments to the ideals enshrined in Articles 39 and 43 of the Indian Constitution.

Assam Government Initiatives Supporting Workers

1. Mukhya Mantri Shramik Kalyan Yojana

• Offers accident insurance up to ₹2 lakh for unorganized sector workers.
  
• Provides financial aid to families in case of a worker’s death during employment.
  

2. Tea Tribe Welfare Department Schemes

• Scholarships for children of tea garden workers from primary to higher education levels.
  
• Housing assistance and cash incentives for maternal health and girl child education.
  

3. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Implementation

• State-led enrolment drives to register tea garden and informal workers under the central pension scheme.
  
• Assam ranks among the top contributors to national e-Shram registrations.
  

4. Formalization and Skill Training

• Collaboration with ASDM (Assam Skill Development Mission) to train youth from tea gardens and rural worker families.
  
• Training in trades like tailoring, plumbing, and IT to promote upward mobility.
  

5. Minimum Wage for Tea Garden Workers

• Assam revised the minimum daily wage for tea garden workers to ₹250 in 2024.
  
• The state also launched a wage compensation scheme for pregnant workers in tea gardens.
  

Contemporary Themes Shaping International Labour Day Discourse

1. Gig Economy Regulation in India

With the emergence of digital platforms like Uber, Zomato, and Swiggy, the Indian workforce is witnessing a shift from traditional employment to gig and platform-based work. On International Labour Day, it is crucial to recognize the legal and social ambiguity surrounding gig workers.

• The Code on Social Security, 2020, was the first to formally acknowledge “gig” and “platform” workers, proposing provisions for social security coverage, but the rules are still evolving.
  
• States like Rajasthan have taken the lead with legislation like the Platform-Based Gig Workers Welfare Act 2023, aimed at ensuring benefits such as health insurance and accident compensation.
  

2. Role of Education in Labour Rights Awareness

International Labor Day also underscores the importance of labour education. A large section of the Indian workforce, especially in the informal sector, remains unaware of their basic rights.

• School curricula and vocational training must integrate modules on labour laws, workplace dignity, and collective bargaining.
  
• Initiatives like the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) should include labour rights sensitization alongside skill enhancement.

3. Work-Life Balance and Psychosocial Risks: WHO & ILO Insights

Modern labour discourse, especially on International Labour Day, goes beyond wages and hours to emphasize mental health, dignity, and digital fatigue.

• According to a 2021 WHO-ILO joint report, long working hours led to 745,000 deaths globally, highlighting urgent need for regulatory responses.
  
• Concepts like the “right to disconnect”, already legislated in countries like France, are being discussed in India to ensure boundaries in digital workplaces.
  

4. Evolution of Trade Unions in the Platform Economy

The International Labour Day movement was built by unions, and now they are adapting to new labour forms.

• India has witnessed early forms of collective action by gig workers, such as strikes by Swiggy and Zomato delivery partners in major cities over pay cuts and algorithmic control.
  
• Globally, movements like the Amazon Labour Union (USA) show efforts to unionize even in digital-first economies.
  
• Digital labour platforms in India are pressured to offer minimum wage guarantees, grievance systems, and fair contract terms.
  

Case Studies and Real-World Reflections

• Case 1: Migrant Workers during COVID-19
  The 2020 lockdown exposed the vulnerability of India’s 140 million migrant workers, many of whom walked hundreds of kilometers home. It led to creation the One Nation One Ration Card system and accelerating digital labor identification through e-Shram.
  
• Case 2: Rise of Gig Work and Urban Delivery Jobs
  A Swiggy delivery worker in Bengaluru earns approx ₹25,000/month but lacks insurance, pension, or leave benefits. This new form of labor challenges traditional notions of employer-employee relationships, demanding new legal frameworks.
  

These examples demonstrate how International Labour Day is not just commemorative but diagnostic, highlighting where society must intervene.

Combating Child Labour in India

Points Against Child Labour

1. Constitutional and Human Rights Violations
   
   • Child labour violates Article 21A (Right to Education) and Article 24 (Prohibition of child labour in hazardous employment) of the Indian Constitution.
     
   • It also contravenes international conventions like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO Conventions No. 138 and 182.
     
2. Intergenerational Poverty Trap
   
   • Children engaged in labour often miss out on formal education and skill development, leading to unskilled adulthood and continuation of the poverty cycle.
     
3. Exploitation and Health Hazards
   
   • Child labourers are often underpaid, overworked, and exposed to hazardous conditions, leading to physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
     
4. Impact on National Productivity
   
   • A workforce with inadequate education and training undermines long-term national productivity and demographic dividends.
     

Key Government Initiatives Against Child Labour

Scheme/Act	Key Features
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016	– Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in any occupation.- Bans adolescents (14–18) in hazardous work.- Penalizes employers with fines and imprisonment.
National Child Labour Project (NCLP)	– Provides rehabilitation centres, education, skill training, and nutrition for rescued child labourers.- Implemented in over 300 districts.
PENCIL Portal (launched in 2017)	– Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour.- Allows online complaint reporting and tracking of child labour cases.- Facilitates coordination between labour departments, police, and NGOs.
Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009	– Mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14.- Helps mainstream rescued children into formal schooling.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme	– Encourages school attendance by providing nutritious meals.- Indirectly combats child labour by reducing dropout rates due to hunger or poverty.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020	– Emphasizes universal foundational literacy and access to quality schooling.- Promotes vocational training and bridge courses for at-risk children.

Way Forward: Toward Inclusive and Resilient Labor Systems

To uphold the true spirit of International Labour Day, India and the world must chart a future that balances productivity with protection, growth with equity.

Policy Suggestions

• Universal Social Protection: Build on e-Shram to cover health, old-age pensions, and accident insurance for all workers.
  
• Skill Mapping and Reskilling: Align skilling programs like PMKVY with future labor markets, including green jobs and AI management.
  
• Legal Clarity on Gig and Platform Work: Define “employee” status for digital-age workers and ensure access to grievance redressal.
  
• Gender Equity at Work: Incentivize equal pay and promote safe workspaces to increase female labor force participation.
  

International Labour Day should act as a yearly audit—a moment to evaluate progress and recalibrate strategies.

Conclusion: Reclaiming the Dignity of Labor in the 21st Century

International Labour Day is not a ceremonial holiday but a political, social, and ethical statement. It demands that we recognize every form of labor, visible or invisible, formal or informal, as integral to national progress. In 2025, amidst technological disruption, climate risks, and demographic shifts, the ideals of International Labour Day are more urgent than ever. Upholding labor dignity is no longer optional, it is foundational to a just and sustainable society.

“Labour is the source of all wealth and all culture.” – Karl Marx