EM Bureau
Dimapur, May 1 (EMN): Different organisations including the Labour department, Nagaland region of National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM), District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA), Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID), All Nagaland Domestic Workers’ Union (ANDWU) and the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) observed the ‘International Workers’ Day’ on May 1.
In Dimapur, the programme was held at Assisi auditorium, Dimapur, in the presence of representatives of different organisations, unions, and domestic workers. The programme was jointly organised by the Labour department, Nagaland region of National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM), Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA), Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID), and All Nagaland Domestic Workers’ Union (ANDWU).
Speaking on occasion, the deputy labour commissioner of Dimapur, Tamwang Konyak, informed that labourers could always reach out to the Labour department if they feel exploited and are not paid correctly for their services.
Konyak also urged the congregation to spread awareness on Ayushman Bharat Scheme, which provides health insurance coverage to beneficiaries during and after hospitalisation up to INR 5 lakh and to register for the Shram scheme.
Also speaking on the occasion, DDLSA panel lawyer, Yanbemo Ngullie, shared on labour rights and the labour law. Ngullie also informed that anyone with an annual income less than INR one lakh could obtain free legal aid.
In a related programme, Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) observed the ‘International Labour Day’ in the state capital, Kohima, on May 1 on the theme “Maintaining safety and security at the workplace.”
‘International Labour Day,’ which is also known as ‘International Workers’ Day’ is observed every year on May 1 with the purpose to raise public awareness about workers’ rights as well as to recognise their contribution and sacrifice to the society, stated an update from NVCO.
Speaking at the event, NVCO president, Kezhokhoto Savi, stated that ‘May Day or Labour Day’ is celebrated in order to pay respect to the working class. He added that the day is exclusively dedicated to the workers to raise awareness on their rights.
Savi stated that under no circumstances, workers should be asked to work for more than eight hours a day and added that extension of working hours should be compensated with extra remuneration in addition to regular wages.
“This is the day that people across the world demonstrated for worker’s rights and to liberate them from exploitation. The day is a festival for workers across the globe and it respects them,” Savi said.
Savi stated that ‘May Day’ is synonymous to workers’ struggle and the subsequent empowerment in the late 19th century. According to Savi, it was on this day at least two striking workers were killed in a police firing while demanding for eight hours work day instead of a grueling 16 hours work day. He added that following the murder of peaceful protestors, more workers joined the protests and it was only in 1916 that the US government began to recognise the eight-hour work timings.
Savi further appealed to acknowledge the contribution of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a non-governmental organisation, in its endeavour to promote workplace rights, increase decent employment prospects, improve social protection, and strengthen discussion in dealing with workplace-related concerns.
