MAY DAY 2020 - a reflection
So, working from home here in Kuala Lumpur, we took our first public holiday – May Day, or International Workers’ Day – celebrated as such in many parts of the world. In Sri Lanka, the country where I grew up, May Day rallies brought workers’ unions on to the streets. Sri Lankan unions have political affiliations – so the rallies and processions provide the opportunity for different political parties to show their strength, for politicians and union leaders to make grandiose speeches and to show solidarity with labourers and working classes and in the process collect more votes. I am not sure how many of the men and women who participate in these celebrations and enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow workers, are aware of the origins of the event. History tells us that May Day celebrations began in 1889, initiated by the Marxist International Socialist Congress, the Second International, as a day on which to engage in a "great international demonstration" i...