Labour Day was observed in Jammu like rest of the country. Labour unions and human rights activists paid tribute to the sacrifices of labour leaders of Chicago who went to the gallows for demanding eight-hour working day in 1886.
Participants said that labour unions took out a rally in Haymarket, Chicago on May 1, 1886 for labour rights, but police opened fire on it. It was the sacrifices of the workers of that movement that forced in place an eight-hour working day. The speakers said that prior to labour movement in the US, labourers were forced to work up to 18 hours on measly wages.
Harpal Singh ADS Nrmu at the gathering said that state of labourers was not satisfactory even today. Inflation is increasing at a faster rate than the wages of workers. Besides, exploitation of working class continues unchecked.
Like other parts of the country, International Labour Day was observed across the province highlighting sacrifices offered by Chicago labourers for the cause of working class.Employees paid tributes to those laborers who laid down their lives to secure the rights of workers.