May 1 is International Workers’ Day. On this day, people in many countries around the world celebrate workers’ achievements and march(游行) in the streets asking for fair pay and better working conditions.
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International Workers’ Day is a celebration of working people and a day when people fight for good work and fair pay. Thanks to action taken by workers over many years, millions of people have won fundamental rights and protections. Minimum wages(最低工资) have been set, there are limits on working hours, and people have the right to paid holidays and sick pay.
However, in recent years, working conditions in many situations have got worse. Since the global financial crisis(全球金融危机) of 2008, part-time, short-term and badly paid work has become more common, and state pensions(养老金) are at risk. We have also seen the rise of the “gig economy”, where companies (公司) hire workers casually for one short job at a time. These workers don’t have the usual rights to paid holidays, the minimum wage. Solidarity(团结) with other workers is as important as ever.
How is Workers’ Day celebrated now?
Celebrations and protests take place in different ways in different countries around the world. May 1 is a public holiday in countries such as South Africa, Tunisia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and China. In many countries, including France, Greece, Japan, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, there are marches on International Workers’ Day. People in America and Canada also celebrate Workers’ Day, though they celebrate it in September.
It is a day for working people to have a rest. It is a chance to fight for workers’ rights, show solidarity with other working people and celebrate the achievements of workers all over the world.
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