Narinjara News, 1 May, 2023

The 133rd International Workers' Solidarity Day (May Day), was observed secretly by the Burmeseworkers in Hlaing Thayar industrial zoneof Yangon, under the theme of ‘May the cries of the oppressed workers be heard’.

The protest program was done online, aimed to oppose the oppression and exploitation in the workplaceacross Myanmar.

A worker at Hlaing Thayar Shwe Lim Van industrial zone said that it was done as they have been facingdeprivation of rights under the juntagovernment.

"Injustices have been done under the present military rulers. The workers are fighting against thediscrimination. Many workers are howevernot involved with the collective struggle. But all workers are facing troubles in the country,” headded.

They raised voices for better job conditions, better wages and finally to have a federal democratic union.

A signboard narrating the victory of the workers’ unity also depicted the sorrow of oppressed workers.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) stated that workers and people of Myanmar continued toexperience injustice even worse than before.

“We staged a protest demonstration in the morning hours demanding our rights. But we could not come to thestreets as there are heavy restrictions.We observed the day secretly to honor the workers across the world,” said a worker.

May Day commemorates the historic uprising of workers in Chicago, USA at the height of aprolonged fight for an eight-hour workday in the late Nineteenth century.

On 1 May 1886, ten workers were killed when the police fired on a demonstration in Chicago. Theprotesters demanded an eight-hour workdayinstead of a 12-hour shift. Finally, the authorities were compelled to accept the demand and itwas implemented everywhere.

On 14 July 1889, an international workers' rally in Paris declared 1 May as the International Workers'Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicagoworkers' sacrifice. Since 1890, the day is observed globally as May Day.