Historical significance of International Workers’ Day

Historical milestone

International Workers’ Day originated from the workers’ rights movement in the US in the late 19th century, and has gradually become a day of action for workers around the world. In Vietnam, May 1, 1930 marked the first time that the working class of the country, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, took to the streets to protest for improved working conditions, increased wages, and reduced working hours. That struggle, though arduous, contributed to writing a glorious chapter in the history of the workers’ movement, culminating in the peak of the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement.

At the launching ceremony of the Action Month on Occupational Safety and Health in 2023

After the August Revolution in 1945, President Ho Chi Minh officially issued a decree recognizing May 1 as a fully-paid public holiday, showing respect for the role of workers in the country’s development.

Today, as the country enters a new stage of development, workers are not only a productive force, but also directly create surplus value, helping businesses overcome difficulties after the pandemic, restore production and develop sustainably. The COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed many industrial parks and factories, and disrupted supply chains. But it is also in those very hardships, the resilience, discipline, and unity of the working class were once again powerfully affirmed.

Workers organize events to celebrate the International Workers’ Day

Across many localities and enterprises, trade union chapters at all levels have organized a wide range of practical activities and emulation movements to celebrate May 1st, in connection with other significant events, such as the Liberation of the South (April 30), President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday (May 19), and the Workers’ Month. Those movements were concrete actions aimed at improving production quality and enhancing workers’ living conditions.

Wanek Furniture workers share photos of their shift meals

When shift meals become a measure of care

Unlike in the past, the quality of shift meals at enterprises has now become a measure of how much an enterprise values its workforce.

Goertek Company is a typical example. On social media, the Goertek Workers’ Union regularly shares images of hearty shift meals served in a spacious, clean, two-story cafeteria. The daily menu offers a variety of dishes, regional specialties, and even vegetarian options which suit employees’ tastes and make them feel energized and work more effectively.

In Bac Thang Long Industrial Park, the Workers’ Union, with nearly 145,000 members, operates actively like a sharing community, where even a simple workers’ meal becomes a topic that garners thousands of likes. Meanwhile, the worker union at Denso Vietnam Co., Ltd. also described their meals as clean, nutritious, and nicely-arranged, which show the gratitude and respect of the company toward its workers.

Thus, the quality of workers’ meals reflects whether a business truly sees its employees as valuable assets and the core factor behind sustainable development.

Especially, May 1st each year is a meaningful occasion to reflect deeply on the role and lives of workers - the core force that builds and preserves the developmental gains of every nation.