Editorial — Post-Labour Day 2021
Workers’ Day 2021 was commemorated in a number of different ways across the globe. In many instances celebrations were somewhat subdued, as was the case last year, because of the still raging coronavirus pandemic. As the AP report we carry in this edition shows, in numerous cases workers were moved to demonstrate because of a need to fight back against attempts to undermine rights which had been won the hard and difficult way through generations of struggle.
In numerous instances employers tried to use the pandemic as a cover for their attempts to roll back workers’ rights and benefits. Across France tens of thousands joined traditional May Day protests, demanding social and economic justice. In Taiwan, thousands of protestors demanded salary increases and a securing annuity. In Nigeria, Lagos transport workers marched demanding government intervention in pay disputes, as inflation hit an all-time high of over 18 percent. In India, airline employees protested to save their airline and 22,000 jobs, having not received salaries for more than two months.
Here at home the threats against workers are no less severe. In numerous instances, private sector employers have resorted to dumping workers — many who were just months away from qualifying for certain post-employment benefits — all under the guise and pretext that COVID-19 was to blame. All of those experiences should serve to reinforce our understanding of the fact that the struggle for workers’ rights is an unending one. THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES!