By: Tariq khan Yousafzai

If we discuss any issue or problem in the world, it begins with man and ends with man, as if man is the center of this world. When we talk about the global environment, it is also a need of man and to improve it, the responsibility is also imposed on man. Similarly, when we discuss economic aspects like poverty, bankruptcy, unfair distribution of resources, and the growing gap between the rich and the poor, it is evident that man is the target and the one creating these issues is none other than man himself.

The conditions of workers in the third world are a strategy created by capitalist states worldwide. These capitalists have imposed their leadership on labor organizations by rendering them ineffective and have also enforced their employee rulers upon states. In this context, the condition of laborers in the country can be well estimated. It’s not uncommon to see unemployed individuals, often referred to as “professional donkeys,” with their shovels and buckets tied with ropes at every intersection. Laborers face mistreatment; they are content with not finding work, and even if they seek employment, the price demanded is accepted, only to be told to come back tomorrow. This plight of workers has been visible for the last five years, negatively impacting productivity in the country.

If we delve into labor history, just as numerous international days are celebrated worldwide every year, there is a dedicated day for workers, celebrated on May 1st. On this day, a general shutdown occurs in the country: schools, colleges, universities, government offices, institutions, markets, shops, and non-government organizations all close. Workers, under the leadership of their representatives, participate in rallies advocating for worker-friendly policies. Peaceful processions take place, slogans are chanted, and resolutions to hoist the red flag are presented.

There’s no doubt that laborers hold a special place in our Muslim society. Islam advocated for the payment of wages to laborers before their sweat dries up, fourteen hundred years ago, presenting a permanent system where both the owner and the worker have equal rights in every era and society.

Looking into the origin of May 1st in the West, during the mid-19th century, workers in Russia endured grueling conditions, working 19-20 hours a day with meager pay. In Europe, America, and Russia, workers were considered little more than advanced machines, toiling in factories akin to slaves. However, the ten-hour movement, initiated by European and Russian workers, marked a turning point. In the United States, the strike of May 1, 1886, against unemployment and capitalist oppression in Chicago, led to a tragic event where many workers were killed by the police. This incident led to the commemoration of May 1st as International Workers’ Day in various countries.

The history of this day demonstrates the struggles against oppression and exploitation by capitalist states. Until we break free from the shackles of capitalist-imposed leadership, the oppressed workers of the world will continue to fight for their rights. Every government, including Pakistan’s, must ensure fair wages for employees to avoid potential revolutions, as denying this fact is impossible.