Muhammad Javaid
CIRCUMSTANCES of the 19th Century and contemporary society have much concordance. Marxism, social issues, feminism and many more are much compatible with today. Those days when industrialization was on its peak in England; ruling class needed bourgeoisie to carry out the labour work in industries. Innocent white faces were darkened grey from the pollution of the chimneys, the little hands became callous. It was the age when there was no age and time limit for labours; they have to work at day as well as at night without any solid damages which could feed them at least two times a day. People were living according to the clock and busy in their productivities. At last William Blake felt the pain and described his pain in his poems. After many struggles and campaigns government of Great Britain listened to their voices and made some reforms for them. Political parties formed in England in 1900 characterized by the promotion of labours interest and socialization of key industries.
In France, circumstances were more upset. Only ruling class had rights to live for luxurious lives, bourgeoisie were only living to do work and to bare hardships. Landlords over pressed little kids playing on the roads without any repentance, properties of middle class people were overwhelmed by the upper class. It was the black state waiting for the illumination. Finally, the lanterns were burnt by their own will. The poor community of France became rebellious against their cruel lords and started a war. Broad roads of the city turned into red brooks, many humans astrayed their lives in the war. A brave soldier known as Napoleon became the hero of the war and won the rights against the ruling class. So in this case, French revolution came into being. Once again France started to breathe. Labours (working class) got relief from the twenty four hours work. France became a good example for all the states suffering from the Marxist society.
In America, same were the conditions as mentioned above, even worst. Labours were punched to do work day and night with cruel duress. Negroes were neglected in every manner of life, their children were not allowed to go to schools but to do work for the whole day. Poor workers were assailed by their brutal lords. Thirst for blood spread everywhere. When the endurance of the pain ended, on May 1st 1886 poor labours did strike for their cardinal rights. Many campaigns were done to get rid of brutality, but sadly the ruling class ceased their voices against the malfeasance. Some were assailed badly, some were hanged publicly while some were fired. The whole land became red from the blood of indigent workers. But this barbaric act added more fuel to the fire in the labour’s aim. Instead of burying their voices, they rebelled against their lords. They tore their clothes, dipped into the blood of their companions and raised flags. Those red flags became the international symbols of labours. So, the bloodful campaign got its fruit. Working hours of labours were reduced to eight hours per day, cruelty and barbaric system also vanished. May 1st is the remembrance of that red day. So in this case, all the labours celebrate their winning ceremony on this day.
Labours Day is also celebrated in Pakistan as well. But celebration for what? For still low salary packages? For still disrespect? For still hardships? For still hunger and poverty? Today, in Pakistan labours are suffering a lot like the past centuries. They have to work all the day and get only a few hundreds which are only enough to feed their children per day. Government had declared their salary packages about seventeen thousand but didn’t implement. The most innocent creature is suffering more in this condition in the name of child labour. The age in which a child should go to school and get education, they are working at different food points serving the food by their fragile hands, many kids work in workshops and do hard labour. Some children sell fruit and vegetable in streets.
The most harsh act is that little girls are servants in the houses of elite class and physically tortured by their lords. Many children sell flowers and other things outside the parking areas of shopping malls to do financial help of their aidless parents.
At various locations and chowks workers wait for the whole day in the quest of work, sometimes they get work but many times they have to return home empty stomach. Today, in the pandemic of Corona virus the most suffering class is working class. They have no permanent monthly salary packages, works are ceased everywhere, they’re waiting for just miracle. Government has introduced Ahsas Program, no doubt it is helpful for many poors but majority deserving are not getting the grants. I think one more protest is needed and one more Labour’s Day should be celebrated.
—The writer is ex-Chief, Planning Commission of Pakistan.
