Why In News?

• Every year May 1 is celebrated as 'May Day' or 'International Workers' Day' in many parts of the world.

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• In India, Labor Day was organized for the first time on May 1, 1923, in Chennai (then Madras). This initiative was first taken by Singaravelu, the head of the Labor Kisan Party of India.
• Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar, chief of the Labor Kisan Party, organized two meetings on the occasion.
• In these meetings, Singaravelu passed a resolution that the British government should declare May Day or Labor Day as a national holiday in India.
• Labor Day or May Day is also known as 'Worker's Day' in India, Kamgar Diwas and International Labor Day.

Constitutional provisions related to labor

• Under Article 14, provision has been made for equality before law and equal protection of laws. This article of the constitution provides equal treatment for both Indian citizens and foreigners within the territory of India.
• Article 19(1) (c) gives citizens the right to form associations or co-operative societies.
• Article 21 provides protection of life and personal liberty.
• Article 23 Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.
• Article 24 Prohibition of employment of children in factories etc. means that children below the age of fourteen years are prohibited from working in any factory, mine or any other hazardous occupation.
• Article 39 (a) The state makes provision for equal pay for equal work for adequate means of livelihood to its citizens.
• According to Article 41, the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, be effective in securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and other forms of want. Will provide
• According to Article 42, the State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
• Article 43A empowers the state to work towards ensuring the participation of workers in the management of industries.