The day of the workers
International Workers’ Day is celebrated today in many countries.
When it all started, workers felt that they should take to the streets to protest about their conditions at the workplace, and how these should be improved; the situation was very different from what it is today.
It was a time when workers did not have any rights, and were seen as “objects” to be used for money-making while they earned a pittance, many times not enough to feed their families despite working for long hours.
Years passed and, with the help of trade unions, the working conditions of most employees changed for the better. A more structured system was put in place, workers were given rights with which to defend their interests – including the right to strike – and employers realised that keeping their workers happy resulted in better productivity.
This is not to say that everything is perfect now. Today, although most workers are better protected and, in most cases, their earnings are appropriate to the tasks they are obliged to carry out, there are still workers who are abused, and whose remuneration is still below what it should be. Apart from monetary issues, there are others who are employed in what have become known as “modern slavery” conditions.
Unfortunately, the celebration of workers, in some countries, has morphed into something more akin to a political manifestation. Malta is not an exception to this, as we can see that the two major political parties will be using this day as part of their campaign as the country heads into election mode, with European Parliament and local council elections set to take place on 8 June.
In other words, politicians have hijacked the day. Elsewhere, it is unions who hold public demonstrations to highlight their achievements and objectives, making it a point to insist that although matters have greatly improved over the years, there is still a long way to go.
Here in Malta, unions do not hold manifestations. Some of them issue statements or hold conferences, but choose to keep low profiles, knowing that it is more likely that people attend the activities held by the PL and the PN. It’s a pity, considering that Workers’ Day should be a special day for workers, and not politicians.
As was said earlier, most workers in Malta enjoy good employment conditions. But there are also situations which need to be examined. Today, we speak of the need to have a work-life balance, simply because advancements in technology have made it possible for workers to be “at work” even when they are not. In hours when workers should be relaxing, they still receive emails and messages which are related to their work duties, often disrupting their leisure time and creating stress. The right to disconnect is something that has been talked about at great length in the past few years.
Then let us also not forget that today, while thousands will be celebrating a holiday, there will be other thousands who will be on duty. Their jobs are such that they are required to work even when others are on holiday. They should be celebrated too.