Every year on 1st May we mark Labour day – better known as International Workers Day to celebrate the contributions of the working class.

As workers, it is important for us to understand the significance of this day and know that the many benefits and the working conditions that we see and enjoy today are things that workers before us have united and fought for through demonstrations, strikes and by the works of trade unions. From 12-hour work days 7 days a week in the past, today most enjoy a 5 days work week with 8-hour working days. For resort works we still work long hours and mostly on paper, 8 hours a day for 6 days a week, a practice that is long due for a change.

In today’s developing world, year by year the productivity and value created by workers are on the rise while working conditions and pay remain stagnant to the changes in the labour force. The working class is the major driving force of the economy and yet the working class and the needs of the working class are always the last to be addressed.

We urge all of you on this International Workers Day to think about who represents you as a worker and your best interests and if there is no-one that comes to mind we urge you to join a union or create one as time and time again, history has shown that a working class can only show its strength when united.