Long Live the Workers: The Ongoing Struggle for Rights, Protection, and Dignity

• By: Dr. Muhammad Tayyab Khan Singhanvi Ph.D

Labour Day stands as a shining symbol of the dignity, sacrifice, and continuous struggle of the working class. Celebrated annually on May 1st across the globe, this day commemorates the tireless efforts of labourers who have fought for economic justice, better working conditions, and human dignity. Labour Day is far more than just a public holiday it is a reminder of the value of human labour, the need for class equality, and the moral imperative of social justice.

• Historical Background of Labour Day

The origins of Labour Day trace back to 1886 in Chicago, United States, during the post-industrial revolution era, when workers were subjected to inhumane conditions working 12 to 16 hours a day. In response, workers initiated a peaceful movement demanding “eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, and eight hours for personal life.”

On May 1st, 1886, millions of workers went on strike across the United States. In Chicago’s Haymarket Square, a peaceful protest turned violent after a bomb explosion led to police firing, resulting in several worker deaths. Subsequently, labour leaders were executed. To honour these sacrifices, the International Socialist Congress in 1889 declared May 1st as International Workers’ Day.

• Significance and Objectives of Labour Day

Labour Day highlights the following crucial aspects:

1. Dignity of Labour: Every form of work—manual or intellectual—is vital to human survival and progress. Islam and many other faiths honour labour as a form of worship.
2. Provision of Rights: Workers deserve fair wages, health and safety measures, rest periods, social security, and job security. It is society’s collective duty to ensure these rights.
3. Class Harmony: Bridging the gap between employers and workers is key to establishing economic justice and social cohesion.
4. Raising Collective Awareness: Labour Day educates the working class about their collective power, unity, and ability to bring about change through struggle.

• Labour Day in Pakistan

In Pakistan, Labour Day was officially recognised in 1972 during the tenure of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Since then, May 1st is observed as a national holiday with rallies, seminars, and awareness campaigns. Pakistan’s Constitution also provides protective provisions for labour rights:

• Article 11: Prohibits forced labour.
• Article 37(e): Ensures safe and healthy working conditions.
• Article 38: Guarantees access to basic necessities such as food, housing, education, and healthcare.

Institutions like the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) and the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) are dedicated to offering medical services, pensions, financial aid, and other benefits to registered workers. Their performance is commendable and reflects a genuine effort to uphold worker welfare.

• Contemporary Challenges Faced by Workers

Despite constitutional protections, the reality on the ground paints a distressing picture:

1. Informal Sector Dominance: A major portion of Pakistan’s workforce is employed in the informal sector, with no official registration or access to social security facilities.
2. Minimum Wage Violations: Although minimum wage laws exist, enforcement remains weak, especially in private factories, workshops, and households.
3. Inhumane Working Hours: Many workers still endure 10–14 hour workdays without overtime compensation or proper rest.
4. Gender Disparities: Female workers face lower wages, unsafe conditions, and frequent harassment at workplaces.
5. Suppression of Trade Unions: Where labour unions do exist, their leadership often faces intimidation and harassment.

• The Islamic Perspective on Labour

Islam holds labour in high esteem. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The one who works with his hands is a friend of Allah” (Kanz-ul-Ummal)

Once, Caliph Umar (RA) kissed the calloused hands of a labourer and declared, “These hands will never touch the fire of Hell.”
If Islamic principles are truly practiced, worker exploitation becomes impossible.

• The Role of Workers in the Modern World

In developed nations, workers enjoy strong legal, social, and economic protection. There:

• Labour laws are strictly enforced.
• Human Resource departments focus on worker welfare.
• Benefits such as health insurance, bonuses, annual leave, and pension schemes are widespread.

Countries like Pakistan must learn from these examples to ensure respect, safety, and financial stability for their workforce.

• Our Responsibilities on Labour Day

1. Legal Enforcement: The state must enforce labour laws rigorously to ensure workers’ rights are upheld.
2. Expansion of Social Security: Informal workers must be brought under the social security net to ensure equality in protection.
3. Public Awareness: Media, educational institutions, and social organizations should raise awareness about workers’ rights and economic justice.
4. Reforming the Business Sector: Industrialists and business owners must treat workers with dignity, provide fair wages, and ensure humane working conditions.

Labour Day is not merely a day of ceremonies, but a powerful message—a tribute to the dignity, rights, and struggles of the working class. It reminds us that no nation can progress unless its workers are secure, prosperous, and empowered. As individuals, institutions, and a society, we must make a collective and sincere effort to uplift the lives of those who build our homes, power our industries, and carry the weight of the nation on their shoulders.