Context 

• International Workers' Day is celebrated every year on 1st May. This day marks the contribution of working people and the labour movement fighting for their rights.

Key Points

• The theme of International Workers' Day 2024 is - Ensuring workplace safety and health amidst climate change.
• It is noteworthy that Labor Day was recognized in America's historical labour union movement.
• A resolution was passed in July 1889 by the first 'International Congress of Socialist Parties' in Europe, declaring that May 1 would be celebrated as International Workers' Day/May Day.
• After the Russian Revolution, 1917, the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc nations started celebrating Labor Day.
• Labor Day was celebrated for the first time in India on May 1, 1923 in Chennai.
• The Labor Day initiative was first taken by Singaravelu, the head of the Labour Kisan Party of India.

Constitutional Provisions

• Under the Constitution of India, labour is a subject of the concurrent list where both the Central and State governments are competent to make laws subject to certain matters reserved for the Centre.

Major articles related to labour and workers

Article 14

• Under this, provision has been made for equality before law and equal protection of laws.
• It provides for 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 cooperative societies.

Article 21

• Provides protection of life and physical liberty.

Article 23

•  Prohibition of human trafficking and forced labour.

Article 24

•  Prohibits children below fourteen years of age from working in any factory, mine or any other hazardous occupation.

Article 39(a)

• The state provides its citizens with adequate means of livelihood for equal pay for equal work.

Article 41

• The State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for the realisation of the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and other undeserved destitution.

Article 42

• The State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.

Article 43 

• The State shall endeavor, by appropriate legislation or economic organization or by any other means, to secure to all workers, whether agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work, living wages and conditions of work leading to a decent standard of living and To ensure complete enjoyment of holidays.

Article 43A

•  Empowers the state to work towards ensuring workers' participation in the management of industries.

Statutory Provisions

• With the aim of improving labour welfare, 3 Labor Code Bills have been passed-
• Code on Social Security ,2020
• The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 
• Industrial Relations Code, 2020

Important facts for exam

International labour organisation

• Establishment: In 1919 (by the Treaty of Versailles)
• Type: Affiliated Agency of the United Nations
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Purpose of establishment: Social justice is essential for global and lasting peace.