Historically speaking, it was 1st May 1886, when the labour or working class came together in Chicago to fight against the exploitation of US industrialists for paid leaves, fair wages, and deduction in working hours.
Likewise, May Day is celebrated as International Workers’ Day across the world. The day is a celebration of the working class that prompted through International Labour movements. The day has different stories of origin in different countries. But there is one common thing or theme of this worldwide celebration, and that is the ‘working class fighting against exploitation of and the circumstances they are subjected to’. It is said that the first celebration of Labour Day in India happened in 1923 by Labour Kishan Party in then Madras. It is on this day that the symbolic red flag, which now signifies the labour movement, was first used in the country.
The contribution of Dr B.R. Ambedkar towards the Indian society and politics is enormous, but somehow, his contribution for the labour class is ignored or could not get enough recognition. Talking about his contribution, it was Ambedkar who took over the labour portfolio in 1942 when the Department of Labour was established. The Central Technical Power Board (CTPB) was established by the Labour Department under his supervision. The CTPB was established to ensure power system development and solve the problems of electricity generation in the country.
It was Ambedkar who ensured and secured the future of the labour class by ensuring them fundamental rights. Otherwise, their future would have been in dark like it had been for generations. He brought down the number of working hours in a day from 14 to eight (in the 7th session of Indian Labour Conference in New Delhi, November 27, 1942).
Today, the Indian working or labour class, especially women workers, are grateful to Ambedkar, who framed many welfare policies including Mines Maternity Benefit Act, Labour Welfare Fund, Women and Child Labour Protection Act, Maternity Benefit for Women Labour, and Restoration of Ban on Employment of Women on Underground Work in Coal Mines.