Public holidays: Why Workers’ Day has special significance in South Africa

Public holidays: Why Workers’ Day has special significance in South Africa

Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day in some countries or ‘May Day’, is celebrated on 1 May in many nations around the world, including South Africa.

It commemorates the contributions and achievements of workers and labour movements in advocating for better working conditions, fair wages, and labour rights.

The Origins of May Day

The origins of Workers’ Day date back to the late 19th century.

One of the significant events that contributed to the establishment of Workers’ Day was the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886, where workers protested for an eight-hour workday.

The Haymarket affair was also the climax of the social unrest among the working class in America known as the Great Upheaval.

The significance of Workers’ Day in South Africa

Workers’ Day has been an international holiday in many countries since 1891.

In South Africa, a nation with a history marked by labour and social turmoil, the day is especially significant.

Formally recognised after the first democratic elections in 1994, Workers’ Day in South Africa has a dual meaning.

It honours the achievements of workers’ rights, but also highlights the pivotal role played by trade unions, the Communist Party, and other labour organisations in the bitter struggle against apartheid.

The working class in South Africa bore the brunt of apartheid’s oppression, linking the struggle for better working conditions with the broader fight against systemic segregation.

A message from Parliament, and the President

On Wednesday, South African Parliament issued a statement to commemorate the day and remind the public of the role Parliament has played in striving towards a more equitable workplace.

“Since the advent of democracy in 1994, Parliament has been instrumental in transforming the legislative landscape to better serve our workers and protect their rights,” the statement read.

Among the inaugural acts of the newly-democratic Parliament was the passing of the Labour Relations Act, on 11 November 1996.

“The Act established new rights for workers that did not exist before, such as the right to organise, join trade unions, and strike, and guaranteed access to workplaces for trade union representatives.

Following closely was the seminal Employment Equity Act of 1998.

“This Act is a cornerstone of our commitment to dismantle the legacies of discrimination and inequality,” said Parliament.

“By prohibiting unfair discrimination and promoting affirmative action, this legislation has been instrumental in creating more equitable workplaces and opportunities for all South Africans, regardless of race, gender, or status.”

Meanwhile, at a Workers’ Day rally in Cape Town, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to those who “lost their lives in the fight.”

“We remember the generations of worker leaders … many who died because of their demands for freedom from the apartheid government,” he said.

“Many suffered in our country so that they could achieve our freedom.”