‘May Day’ is a day of demonstration, solidarity and struggle for workers in the world and is distinct from other international ‘days’. There is nothing official about ‘May Day’, in the sense that it is not observed by governments. The call for observance of ‘Earth Day,’ ‘Anti-Tobacco Day’, etc., comes from the United Nations. The call for the observance of ‘May Day’ has not come even from the International Labour Organisation, the tri-partite body of governments, employers and the employees. This year, trade unions in India and abroad observed ‘May Day’ by renewing the call for resisting globalisation and the ‘anti-worker’ policies followedby governments. We give below excerpts from ‘May Day’ messages from across the world.

‘Decisive Role for Workers’

AITUC is of the considered view that the working class has a decisive role to play in the fast emerging political and economic situation, globally as well as locally in India. The working class will have to spearhead the movement to alter the crisis-ridden social structure and to usher in a society without exploitation and inequality. There is a concerted drive by the developed capitalist countries to impose their neo-liberal policies of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation of ‘free market’ economy in the name of structural adjustment programmes. International finance capital’s dominance in corporate world coupled with the increasing number of scams and crisis in the world capitalist system are glaring. On the other hand, people’s movements the world over, the noteworthy victory of Left forces in countries of Latin America, worldwide resistance to the unjust wars, illegal occupations, sanctions and threat imposed against the countries which refuse to accept the economic and social policies advocated by the World Bank, IMF and WTO are some of the encouraging responses. We therefore, will have to renew our solemn pledge to carry forward the struggle of millions of toiling masses, on this International Working Class Day.

AITUC, India

‘Defeat Communalism’

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) extends revolutionary greetings to the working class fraternity all over the world, on the historic ‘May Day’ - the day of the international solidarity of the working people. The CITU greets the working class and the people of the socialist countries for steadfastly holding aloft the banner of socialism. The CITU greets the working class and the people of the advanced capitalist countries, who have raised the banner of resistance to the policies of imperialist globalisation, putting up inspiring and militant struggles against capitalism.

The CITU warmly greets and pledges solidarity with the working people of the developing countries, engaged in fighting back the offensives of imperialism on the one hand and the onslaughts of the ruling classes on the other.

On this ‘May Day’, the CITU exhorts the working people of the country to further strengthen and consolidate the unity of all the toiling masses and unleash further powerful struggles against the imperialist offensives, onslaughts of the ruling classes, the ruinous economic policies and against the divisive and disruptive forces of communalism and casteism.

CITU, India

‘Workers for Peace and Democracy’

We have internalised the spirit that economic prosperity of all workers can be ensured through the promotion of trade union rights, if we could work together in unity. The workers of Nepal under the banners of national centres of trade unions General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions, Nepal Trade Union Congress and Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions, Professional Alliance for Peace and Democracy (which includes the Nepal bar Association, Nepal University Teachers Association, Nepal Teachers Association, Nepal National Teachers Association, Nepal Engineers Association and Nepal Medical Association) and Confederation of Nepalese Professionals are standing together to celebrate ‘May Day’ 2005. On this occasion, on behalf of the entire Nepali working people, we extend our heartfelt greetings. We declare our collective commitment and consensus on the theme of ‘Democracy for Peace and Development, Trade Union Rights for Workers in all Profession’.

May Day Joint Celebration Committee, Nepal

‘Workers and Women as Leaders’

The fifth year of the 21st century is filled with heroic resistance against imperialism, from the Andes to the Urals. Salutations to the brave working people in Iraq, Palestine and on every continent who are fighting to protect their children, their water, food, jobs, pensions and lives from neo-liberal capitalist misery and war.

Let us turn today’s strong rebellion into an advance toward universal human fulfillment. A radical, international, anti-war force of workers, women and oppressed peoples could provide leadership to end the current conflicts and construct a new economic system based on cooperation and meeting social needs.

Freedom Socialist Party, U.S and Australia

‘We have a World to Win’

All over the world, working people take to the streets to celebrate their struggle for workers’ rights and their opposition to capitalists and their wars. We send our greetings to all genuine unions and workers’ organisations that are marching and organising on this day. We stand with you to demand jobs and a living wage, health and safety on the job, full rights for women workers, for migrant workers, for indigenous people and for refugees. We stand with you to demand affordable quality housing and health and welfare services, an education system that is accessible to all, a clean environment and full democratic rights. We have a world to win.

Australia Asia Worker Links

‘Workers, Stand Together’

On behalf of the Working Women’s Organisation, we express our deepest greetings on ‘May Day’ 2005. These days, when the world faces unprecedented dangers and crisis, worldwide working class unity is needed as never before in the history of humankind. We, the workers, must stand together and collectively fight back. We pay our tributes to the ‘Chicago Martyrs’ as well as workers all over the globe, who are struggling for peace, prosperity, freedom and justice.

Working Women’s Organisation, Pakistan

On the occasion of May Day Labour File greets all workers and workers’ organisation in their relentless struggle for justice, peace and freedom.