May 1st holds national significance in Mexico as Labor Day, commemorating the historic fight of workers for fair treatment and improved working conditions. This tradition stems from a long history of labor movements arising in response to harsh working environments.
Following the Industrial Revolution, worker exploitation intensified with longer hours, low wages, and widespread child labor. These conditions fueled the growth of a powerful labor movement demanding change.
A pivotal event in this struggle was the Haymarket Affair of 1886 in the United States. Protests for an 8-hour workday culminated tragically, leading to the deaths of several people during a public demonstration. Five labor leaders, immortalized as the Chicago Martyrs, were sentenced to death in the aftermath.
In response to these events, in 1889 an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions established May 1st as International Workers’ Day, a day in support of workers. This day, now celebrated in over 80 countries, serves as a powerful symbol of the ongoing fight for social justice and workers’ rights.
Mexico’s own labor movement played a central role in the Mexican Revolution. The resulting 1917 Constitution enshrined significant advancements in social rights. These included the 8-hour workday, mandated rest periods, regulations for workplace safety and hygiene, and a crucial ban on child labor.
Today, May 1st remains a federally recognized holiday in Mexico. It guarantees workers a day off, and those required to work receive double pay. This right is enshrined in Article 75 of the Federal Labor Law, which designates certain holidays as non-working days. This allows workers the freedom to celebrate the civic or religious festivities that are commemorated on those dates.
