2023-05-01 14:18:00
Each May 1st commemorates the International Workers Day o Labor Daya day that pays homage to those who suffered a bloody repression during the McCornick factory massacre, which occurred in the year 1886 in USA. This event gave rise to demonstrations demanding a decent salary and hours to leave behind the labor exploitation suffered by thousands of collaborators.
This day proposes to reflect on the conditions faced by all workers and remember the importance of fulfilling their rights, such as eight-hour days, formalization and retirement contributions.
In 1886, the city of Chicago was the scene of dozens of protests by workers in the labor sector, who demanded that they be recognized as such and that their contracts be improved, at a time when the Labor journeys they averaged between 12 and 18 hours a day.
At the end of April, the slogan began to become popular: “Eight hours for work, eight for sleep and eight for home”. The group that led these claims was the “Noble Order of the Knights of Labor” (Noble Order of the Knights of Labor).
However, the businessmen in charge of the factories ignored their demands, which led to a mass strike which had the adhesion of more than five thousand workers. Faced with this scenario, they decided to comply with the requests of their collaborators.
The owners of the food products firm McCormick decided to go against this initiative and, consequently, the On May 1, 1886, its employees went out to demonstrate at the gate of the facilities. Given this, the company turned to the police, who suppressed with shots, which caused dozens of deaths and injuries.
Despite the brutal response of the armed forces, the workers met again on May 2 and 3 to fight for their rights, but the savage police response and its tragic consequences were repeated.
The conflicts escalated around May 4, when the call was made Haymarket Revoltwhich left several dead, both from the police and from the protesters, in addition to the arrest of dozens of workers: five of whom were executed, for which they are remembered today as los Chicago Martyrs.
These events had great international repercussion and caused multiple questions from different work sectors around the world. Thus, in 1919, the first conference of the International Labor Organization (ILO)which established mandatory compliance with maximum days of eight hours a day and 48 hours a week.
In our country, this day has been declared as a immovable holiday. In 2023, this day falls on a Monday, so many activities will be on recess, while others will have a reduced operation.
Being considered a holidayaccording to Law 20,744 of Employment Contract Regimeall employees must receive the normal remuneration for this day, despite not working, while those who must attend their posts must earn double one usual day.
THE NATION
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