People all throughout the world are putting down their tools, turning off their laptops, and taking a well-earned break today, May 1. Workers’ Day, sometimes referred to as May Day or Labour Day, is a celebration of the diligent men and women who keep the world turning.
Millions of people are taking this day to consider the struggle for improved working conditions, just compensation, and the right to rest from Lagos to London, Cape Town to Cairo. The event dates back to 1886, when workers in Chicago organized for an eight-hour workday in the Haymarket crisis. More than 80 countries now celebrate May 1 as a public holiday as a result of that audacious move, which started a global movement.
In our country, it’s a public holiday that gives workers a chance to relax and take a break. Concerns about wage structures, job security, inflation, and working conditions are frequently raised by labor unions on this day. It serves as a potent reminder that employees should receive more than simply gratitude—they should change.
Today is for you, whether you work as a medic in Nairobi, a banker in Abuja, or a cleaner in Berlin. Take a rest. I commend you for your efforts. Take pride in your hustle.
Because let’s face it, without workers, nothing works.
Happy Workers’ Day!
