International Workers’ Day Today
International Workers’ Day or May Day is commemorated today.
The International Workers’ Association declared the 01st of May as World Labour Day in 1889.
The day was declared based on a strike launched by workers in Chicago demanding an 8 hour work shift.
The first Labour Day celebrations in Sri Lanka took place in 1927 while the 1st of May was officially declared as a national holiday in 1956.
However, the present government decided to postpone the May Day celebrations to the 7th of May this year.
The government reached the decision after taking into consideration a request made by the Maha Sangha owing to the Vesak Week being commemorated till the 2nd of May.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the May Day holiday which was scheduled for today will be postponed to the 07th of May.
However, several Trade Unions and political parties have organised several May Day rallies in Colombo today (01).
