May Day being observed today

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May .1 : The International Labour Day, or May Day is being celebrated today with the theme “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment.”

This theme addresses the psychosocial risks that have become prominent in modern workplaces, such as stress, burnout, and mental health challenges.

The day commemorates the historic 1886 labour movement in Chicago of the United States, where workers demanded an eight-hour workday. 

Workers all over the world take this day as an opportunity to keep everyone aware of the protection and promotion of labour rights with mutual unity and solidarity. 

The day is marked to honour workers and their contributions to society. The day is celebrated to mark the achievements made so far for the establishment of the right to decent work and reasonable wages. 

The day has been officially observed in Nepal since the success of the Biratnagar movement in 2003 B.S. The day gained national recognition following the political changes of 2007 B.S. 

The public holiday on May 1 has been announced after the 1990 democratic movement. 

The first May Day was celebrated in Nepal in 2019 B.S. by the Nepal Mazdoor Sangh. The day marked the start of the organised labour movement celebration in the country. 

Labour organisations across the country mark the day by pressing for workers’ rights and policy reforms. 

The Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed the right to employment of the citizens and the right to fair remuneration and contribution-based social security for every worker.    

According to a study, every year, about half a million work force enters into labour market in Nepal, but their employment security is hardly discussed in parliament.

The lack of implementation of existing labour laws and the apathy of government, employers and political parties have often complicated the working conditions of thousands of workers in Nepal. 

This further drives a large mass of workers, especially from the informal economy into multi-faceted vulnerabilities, like exploitation, harassment and other work place injustices inflicted from discrimination in wage, lack of decent work environment and unfair payment systems. 

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) urged governments and businesses to focus on psychosocial risk management and to ensure that workplaces foster not only physical well-being but also mental health support.