Why is Labor Day celebrated in Mexico? | Answers

In recent centuries, labor rights have been a major struggle, which is why it is commemorated and recognized every year. labor day Inside Mexico. According to data from the National Survey of Occupation and Employment of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, the economically active population in the country is more than 60 million.

Labor Day: Why is this date celebrated?

Decades ago, factories were workplaces where men, women, the elderly and children worked equally, with shifts lasting more than 12 hours a day. During a tiring work day, people have no desire to recover, rest or enjoy leisure time.

Most workers had to fight for years to establish the eight-hour workday. Nowadays, Labor Day has become a festive day, however, it is important to remember that this date pays tribute to all workers who fought for a decent and fair life.

Labor Day: Goals Achieved by Workers

In the struggle for labor demands, workers obtained contractual rights and privileges, which were recognized by labor laws, contemplated in contracts and collective labor agreements. So, we mention some of them:

• Reduction of working day to 8 hours.
• Social Security for Workers: Insurance against sickness, accidents at work, disability and old age.
• Pay equity.
• Right to minimum wages.
• Enjoy the vacation.
• Bonus.
• Holiday pay.
• Trade union rights.
• Right to strike.

Labor Day: When did this celebration begin?

The origins of International Labor Day date back to 1886 in the United States. Then the workers started a tireless struggle demanding that the working day be reduced to 8 hours. Likewise, there was a limit on a person not working more than 18 hours without prior justification, for which he would be fined $25.

On May 1, 1886, the majority union went on strike. In Chicago, the rivalry between police and labor was fierce and bloody.

After a few days of strike action, a tense rally was held in Haymarket Square on 4 May. A policeman died that day when an artifact exploded in the square. Many were arrested, five of whom were hanged: three journalists, a typist and a carpenter. They are known as the “Chicago Martyrs”.

Therefore, May 1st is observed as International Workers’ Day in commemoration of the 8-hour day and the struggle to honor the Haymarket workers.

Labor Day: Films on Labor Rights

On Labor Day, people can enjoy a movie about labor rights from home. Here are some names:

• Modern Times (1936, USA): Directed by Charles Chaplin, this film chronicles poor working conditions and the proliferation of protests in the United States during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
• Arcadia (2005, France): It tells the story of Bruno, a senior executive at a paper mill who is laid off with the entire workforce and goes out of his way to survive to guarantee his family’s future. Apart from the social condemnation, it has the ability to keep the viewer in complete suspense till the end.
• The Devil Wears Prada (US, 2006): Set in the competitive world of fashion in New York, it tells the story of the relationship between the top executive of a fashion magazine and his young assistant. Meryl Streep’s character was inspired by Anna Wintour, the director of Vogue magazine in America.
• Endless Love (2009, USA): The movie is based on a layoff company that is hired by other companies to lay off their employees. The person responsible for this despicable task must travel across the country to fulfill his mission.
• Inside Job (2010, USA): Documentary about the causes and effects of the 2008 global economic crisis, which meant millions of people lost their homes and jobs.
• Fair Wage (2010, UK): In 1968, a group of 200 tailors from the Ford Dagenham plant in London staged a strike to demand equal pay for men.