Celebrating Labour Day
“No work is insignificant. All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
We are fast approaching the end of April and the first of May will mark an important occasion. We are talking about Labour Day! Let’s explore what it means and what it is all about.
Labour Day in Singapore
Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day or May Day is celebrated on May 1 in Singapore and also in other countries all over the world. The day originated somewhere during the 19th century when workers used to work for 16 hours or more a day, in severe and dangerous conditions. It wasn’t that uncommon to find people getting injured or even dying due to workplace hazards.
People were overworked and exploited. Soon protests and strikes arose demanding an 8-hour workday and also improving their working conditions. When such a protest took place in Chicago in the year 1886, an unidentified bomb went off, which caused a firing by the police into the crowd. Several police officers and civilians lost their lives and many were injured as a result. Labour day is commemorated in memory of this day which is considered the first May Day Parade. Trade Unions and organisations observe the occasion to remind the world of the issues faced by workers. It is thanks to these movements that workers’ rights became widely recognized and at present, we are able to reap the benefits in our workplaces.
In Singapore, Labour day was officially designated a public holiday in 1960. Workers and unions hold rallies during Labour day every year. In the earlier days, these rallies had a tense atmosphere and were a symbol of the workers’ struggle with the colonial government. After independence NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) pushed forward to modernise the Labour movement and as a result brought about many changes to the employer-employee dynamic within the country. In the present day, it is observed to celebrate and honour every worker who is working tirelessly for making Singapore a successful and developed nation.
Why is it important?
It is a day to remind everyone of the dignity of Labour and the respect deserved by every worker. It teaches us about the nobility of Labour and the importance of hard work. We must recognize the effort put in by every individual working towards the building of our nation and the world. It also teaches the lesson of how everyone should be treated equally and with respect. It is a day to impart valuable lessons to your children and all people around you.
How to celebrate this day?
There are many things you can plan for the day.
Visit the Istana
Labour day is the one of the five days of the year on which the Istana is open to the public. Istana is the official residence of the country’s president. On Labour Day, it is open for citizens to visit. There are guided tours and performances you can look forward to and you can even enjoy a picnic with your family and friends on its grounds.
Donate to a charity and Time with your family
Celebrate this day with good vibes by contributing to a charity that works towards workers’ welfare. Make use of Labour day to spend some quality time with your family. You can visit the parks, go for walks or even go hiking.
Talk to your children about the importance and dignity of labour
This day might be a good time to educate your children about the history and importance of labour day. Teach your kids that without labour, nothing prospers and that no job or work is insignificant in the eyes of anyone.
On this occasion, let’s shed some light on another matter- the issue of work-life balance.
Many people get too immersed in their work, compromising their personal life. They often forget to set aside time for their families and themselves, all to regret it in the future. The demands of one’s career should not take precedence over the demands on one’s life and neither should it happen the other way around. You have to achieve an equilibrium where both aspects are given equal importance and time. Today, most families have working parents. When you fail to balance your work and life in such a scenario, your children will find themselves without the support and care that they should receive from their parents. No babysitter or caretaker can make up for that. Once you get old and retire, you will find yourself with lots of time, but then you will not have your children near to spend it with or any fond memories to turn to. The satisfaction of work achievements can be great, but they won’t be the things that you will think back to in your late years. Time spent with your family, friends, the trips you made, the food you enjoyed- all these will be the things that you reminisce about. So, try to balance your life with work so that you can spend valuable time with your loved ones.
We wish everyone a Happy Labour Day! 🙂
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