Worker’s Day is observed annually in South Africa to celebrate workers’ rights. The day is used to honour the contribution of working-class men and women across the globe. It is also commemorated to acknowledge the role trade unions and workers’ organisations played in the struggle against apartheid.
It is a public holiday in South Africa, which originated with the historical struggles of workers and trade unions yes, but it is also a testimony to the hard battles that workers in this country and in other parts of the globe have waged for workers’ rights and equal opportunities and the contributions they make towards the growth of the nation.
In other countries, the day has been a holiday since 1891. However, in South Africa, it only became a holiday after the 1994 democratic elections.
What sets our local Workers’ Day apart from the International celebrations, is that we needed to establish a culture of human and worker rights. It was initially known as May Day. To except each other as human beings, and together side by side as friends and co-workers.
The more workers who can celebrate Workers’ Day as workers, the more real meaning the day will have. Because it means that more people are in the privileged position of even having a job.
Let’s celebrate each other, respect each other and work together towards a better future for everyone. Let’s not fight each other, but rather work together!
