Growing up, most of us looked forward to 1 May because it meant a day off from school or work. And unlike other public holidays, there was no need to prepare gifts or attend family gatherings. Just a well-earned break.
But Labour Day, also known as May Day or International Workers’ Day, has a much deeper and more turbulent origin than many realise.
The Origins Of Labour Day
Today, over 160 countries observe Labour Day. But the word “celebrate” may not be the most appropriate. That’s because May Day has its roots in protest, violence and death.
It began on 1 May 1886, when more than 300,000 workers across the United States went on strike, demanding an eight-hour workday. In Chicago, things took a tragic turn during what’s now known as the Haymarket Affair. A bomb was thrown during a peaceful rally, killing police officers and civilians. This is also one of the reasons the U.S. celebrates Labour Day on the first Monday of September, deliberately choosing a date with no ties to the Haymarket Affair.
Historically, unions around the world, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries, were no strangers to confrontation. Violence often erupted in clashes between workers and employers, and at times, even with the state.
One notable example was the Homestead Strike in Pennsylvania. When the Carnegie Steel Company tried to slash wages, workers protested. In response, the company brought in armed guards from the Pinkerton Detective Agency. The situation escalated into a violent battle, resulting in deaths and injuries. Eventually, the state militia was called in to restore order.
These historical episodes serve as a reminder of why it’s crucial to maintain a balanced relationship between workers, employers, and the government, or as we like to explain it, a “win-win-win” approach that promotes industrial harmony and sustainable economic growth.
Unions And Politics: A Longstanding Link
Unions and politics have always been intertwined. In the UK, for instance, the Labour Party, one of the major political parties, was formed in 1900 by trade unions and socialist groups to give workers a voice in Parliament. While the party continues to enjoy support from unions to this day, it also functions independently as a political organisation with its leadership and policies.
If this sounds familiar, that’s because Singapore’s model bears some resemblance.
In Singapore, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has historically supported the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). In turn, union leaders from NTUC have often been fielded as PAP candidates in general elections. This alliance, described often as symbiotic, has helped Singapore maintain a stable and cooperative labour environment.
But like elsewhere, Singapore’s union history also includes its own chapter of violence.
The Hock Lee Bus Riots: Singapore’s Turning Point
In 1955, tensions boiled over at the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company. Union organisers were dismissed, and replacement workers were brought in. Enraged workers, joined by students, took to the streets in protest. The situation quickly escalated into a riot, leaving four dead and 31 injured.
That same year, Singapore’s Ministry of Labour and Welfare (now known as the Ministry of Manpower) was established, with Lim Yew Hock as its first minister. Lim himself had deep roots in the labour movement, having been the full-time Secretary-General of the Singapore Clerical and Administrative Workers’ Union (SCAWU). He would later become the Chief Minister of Singapore from 1956 to 1959, succeeding David Marshall and being succeeded by the founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew.
The Union Role In Nation-Building
In 1959, then-PAP Secretary-General Lee Kuan Yew promised “industrial peace with justice” during a mass rally at Geylang Serai. He pledged that a PAP-led government would be “on the workers’ side”—a promise that resonated with the electorate and may have played a key role in the party’s eventual victory during the election.
In 1961, the NTUC was officially formed with support from the PAP. However, even before that, close ties already existed between the PAP and various unions. Since 1959, trade unionists have consistently been elected to Parliament as PAP candidates.
A Key Pillar In Democratic Movements
Regardless of where we stand politically, it’s worth acknowledging that unions have always been a cornerstone of democratic politics, whether in Singapore, the UK or elsewhere. This is because political movements often seek broad-based support, and trade unions offer exactly that. In return, unions receive organisational resources, leadership guidance and with their representatives also appointed to parliament.
Read Also: Why We Celebrate Labour Day On 1 May
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