Ahmad Macky
23 April 2008
Port Louis — For some time now, it has been felt that May Day celebrations have had little to do with worker welfare. The criticism holds that these celebrations are seized by political parties to engage in another round of political sloganeering and verbal lambasting of political adversaries.
I do not intend to make a case for the separation of politics and worker issues. In fact, politics impinge sharply on people's lives.
However, there are issues specific to the working class and which need to be focused on and campaigned for at least on the day dedicated to workers. This is where many a trade union falls. The possibility of failure is great if it is linked to a major political party and this is often the case.
As far as the masses are concerned, it is the "rice and curry" issues, which are of utmost importance. The rising cost of living continues to dog the workers at their heels. It is the duty of trade unions, worthy of this name, to work towards the alleviation of this burden. They are also bound to campaign tirelessly for better living and working conditions for the masses. If these issues do not figure in the agendas of entities calling themselves trade unions, they have failed in their essential task.
The true meaning of May Day is to honour the long and bloody struggle of working people throughout the world against their oppressors.
In Mauritius, May Day has completely lost its true meaning and is badly interpreted. Some people don't even know what it stands for, unless they go deep into its history. Let us remember that May Day is not the celebration of political parties, it is a sacred day for workers to have a free day of meditation, reflection, prayer and remembrance.
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