BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Each year on May 1, people across the globe take to the streets to commemorate International Workers’ Day. In many countries, May 1 is an official holiday, and for labour rights campaigners it is particularly important.
The day commemorates past labour struggles against a host of workers’ rights violations, including lengthy workdays and weeks, poor conditions and child labour.
Unlike previous years, the 2020 Labour Day comes as countries across the globe are grappling with the devastating impacts of covid-19 on the economy, resulting in loss of jobs for many workers.
In Malawi, thousands of workers have already lost jobs due to the covid-19 pandemic coupling with the country’s fragile economy. However, the government through the country’s president, Professor Peter Mutharika, has assured all workers that more measures will be implemented to save jobs in both formal and informal sector.
In a statement issued by Presidential Press Secretary Mgeme Kalilani, Mutharika has applauded workers of both public and private sectors for continuously playing a valuable role in his quest to develop Malawi and improve lives of people.
The president, however, notes that this year, the Labour Day comes at an unprecedented time in history as the world struggles with the coronavirus pandemic which has affected economies as many companies are unable to function to their optimum capacity and are finding it difficult to keep all their workers in the job.
“I understand the situation which employers have found themselves in at this time of the pandemic and this is why my government has instituted a number of relief measures such as the Voluntary Tax Compliance Window and a directive to the Reserve Bank to implement a win-win arrangement with commercial banks and Micro-Finance Institutions to observe a three-month moratorium on interests on loans” said President Mutharika adding that the measures are aimed at protecting businesses and help them to survive in this difficult time.
On this note, the President has applauded all companies and businesses which are working with the Government to protect their workers from coronavirus and to ensure that they maintain their jobs.
“The government will implement more measures to save jobs,” he said.
Workers rights campaigner Robert Mkwezalamba, while admitting that employers are really negatively affected by the covid-19 pandemic, has asked the employers to use corporate social responsibility programs to assist the workers.
“It’s a sad moment because we are hit by this pandemic (covid-19) which calls for stiffer strategies and resolution on the part of the employer and government to ensure that the workers are protected.
“We always complain here in and here out that employees do not work in conducive environment; they are not paid adequate benefits. With this pandemic where businesses are closed or operations have slowed down, we will be expecting employers to use corporate social responsibility programs to reach out to the workers to empower them economically or materially just as a way of thanking them,” Mkwezalamba said in an interview with Zodiak radio.
Speaking to Maravi Post, some workers who work in the informal sector have lamented the meager wages and poor working conditions characterizing the sector.
“This is a special day for us workers and we humbly ask the government and other stakeholders to consider us by pushing our employers to comply with the standards set by the government. We work for more ours in an unconducive environment, yet our salaries are below standard,” said one of the workers in Blnatyre.
Elsewhere, Dubai is cerebrating the day by honoring workers and highlighting the role played by them in achieving success at all levels, especially in the ongoing fight against Coronavirus.
According to Khaleej Times Dubai Sports Council will be marking the occasion by honoring workers at the Covid-19 testing centers in Al Nasr and Shabab Al Ahli clubs, in appreciation of the role played by them in this important time.
The council says with the world facing unprecedented challenges due to the rampaging Coronavirus pandemic, the workers have been at the forefront in the fight against Covid, standing firmly alongside the doctors, nurses, security personnel, volunteers and sterilization teams, and helping limit the spread of the virus.
“To salute their efforts and show the Council’s sincerest thanks and deepest gratitude of the role they have played in this crisis, Dubai Sports Council will be distributing special gifts to the workers at the two testing centers, “reads the statement from the council as quoted in the Times.
The first May Day celebrations focused on workers took place on May 1st 1890 after its proclamation by the first international congress of socialist parties in Europe on July 14th 1889 in Paris, France, to dedicate May 1 every year as the “Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity.”