History Of Labor Day: Fire Scattered In Chicago On May 1, 1886, Burning Around The World

Illustration - Labor Day Celebrations littered with vandalism in Karawang, West Java on May 1, 2019. (Between/Mohammad Ibnu Chazar)

JAKARTA - Labor Day or May Day is a day aimed at commemorating the struggle of the international labor movement in fighting for their rights in the workplace. Today is celebrated on May 1 every year.

The history of Labor Day began on May 1, 1886 in Chicago, United States. At that time the workers who were members of the union staged a demonstration at Haymarket Square to fight for their rights, including the right to work eight hours a day. At that time, most workers had to work up to 16 hours a day, without adequate rest time.

On May 4, 1886, there were clashes between workers and the police who were trying to disperse the demonstration. At that time, a bomb exploded and killed several people, including several police. Local authorities accused union leaders of masterminding the bomb attack.

As a result of the incident, four union leaders were sentenced to death, namely: August Spies, Albert Parsons, George Engel, and Dolph Fischer. Not much criticism and controversy over this decision. They were later dubbed "Martir Chicago" and became a symbol of the struggle of the international labor movement.

If you think that hanging us will stop the movement of workers, which is a movement of millions of oppressed people. Millions of hard workers who live in poverty and shortcoming, then it is tantamount to stepping on a burning fire. The spark will spread everywhere, and it will never be extinguished! " said Spies, when the judge sentenced him and his comrades to death.

At the International Labor Congress II in Paris in 1889, the delegates decided to commemorate the working day held on May 1 every year. Held to honor the struggles of the workers, and to fight for their rights around the world.

The commemoration of Labor Day then spread throughout the world and became an important moment for the international labor movement. In some countries such as in the Soviet Union in the past, Labor Day was made a national holiday and a massive celebration was held to honor the struggle of the workers.

Labor days in Indonesia have a long history, starting in the early 20th century when Indonesia was still a Dutch colony. At that time, Indonesian workers, most of whom worked in Dutch plantations and factories, experienced very poor working conditions.

In the 1920s, labor unions began to form and protest against the ill-treatment received by workers. One of the well-known labor organizations at the time was the Islamic Sarekat which had a large number of members.

On May 1, 1920, Sarekat Islam held a commemoration of Labor Day by holding demonstrations and demonstrations in several cities in Indonesia. However, the action ended in disbandment by the police and the arrest of several members of the labor organization.

During the Japanese occupation, the struggle of workers to improve working conditions continued. After Indonesia's independence in 1945, labor unions became increasingly active in fighting for workers' rights.

In 1950, the Indonesian government officially designated May 1 as National Labor Day. This commemoration was used as a moment to strengthen solidarity between workers and fight for their rights.

The celebration of the international day of workers on May 1 is not a communist celebration, but a celebration by all international workers. Yes, to celebrate this victory, the workers can reach a working hour of one 10 hours, which was 18-19 hours as a result of the struggle of the united workers. Even as a result of the struggle of the international workers, it was set May 1 as an international day," said President Soekarno, during a speech at Labor Day on May 1, 1962.

During the New Order era, the struggle of workers in Indonesia experienced oppression and restrictions. The commemoration of Labor Day is prohibited because it is considered communist, left-handed. However, in the reform era in 1998, the labor movement again gained freedom and the right to join forces and held demonstrations.

On May 1, 2013 during the reign of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, National Labor Day was inaugurated as a national holiday.

"There is a special gift from President Yudhoyono, where the government will make May 1 a national holiday," said Said Iqbal, President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions, as quoted by Kompas in 2013.

The commemoration of Labor Day in Indonesia is now an important moment for the labor movement to fight for workers' rights and improve the welfare of workers in Indonesia.