International Labour Day is an official public holiday all over the world in various countries. It is observed every year to pay tribute to the contribution of workers across the world.
Recently, International Workers’ Day marked the 45th time in Ethiopia and the 131st time in the world. Due to the socioeconomic adverse effects of the Corona virus, it has been honored with the motto, “Continuing productivity by protecting ourselves and our community from the Corona virus.” Following this day Dr. Ergoge Tesfaye, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in her message regarding the World Workers’ Day, said that the Day ‘May Day’ is a symbol of struggle and victory has been embraced by centuries.
“We celebrate together as Mayday’s global actors and development partners, as Mayday is a day to remember the struggles of the world’s workers against the elite. The workers, whose human and democratic rights are protected, benefit from the struggle for social justice, and continue to celebrate every year. It is also known that the struggle to suppress the oppression and abuse of workers by the oppressive and exploitative system and has also marked a victory that has changed the management style of the working world,” she said.
As to her, the Ethiopian workers are part of the World workers and part of the struggle, have no a different history with the international labor movement. The bitter struggle for workers to defend their rights has been painted in bold colors since the beginning of the industrial revolution particularly in the western countries. The entire revolutionary force believes that the struggle has created a balance between the worker’s dignity and security, his rights and his interests.
“Therefore, when May Day is celebrated, it should be honored and appreciated by yesterday’s staff and staff leaders. We are proud to see all of the Ethiopian workers who continued in the same path of struggle and change continues to play a vital role in the development of our country today.”
She stated that it is clear this year’s May Day is celebrated at an alarming rate as the Corona virus invades the world and poses a threat to the whole human race. In response, the world is paying a different kind of sacrifice, since the world is engaged in the Prevention war with COVID-19. It is true that the pandemic on one hand is making the workplace vulnerable, while at the same time the world is continuing to make a
strong pressure on the pandemic.
“In this sense, it is now time for us to work together in a coordinated capacity to ensure that the workforces are able to protect themselves and rescues one another. At this point, we should consider the key issue of cross-cutting employee retention, and put it together. Following the preventive measures and the precautionary steps, protecting the employee from the pandemic and diligently doing his or her role in the fight against global catastrophe is a priority,” she noted.
This is a time to make sure that people are on the line, as it requires a great deal of security and solidarity for mankind. To this end, the “COVID-19 Response of the Triple- Response Protocol” and the Emergency Declaration on Workplace Response, previously issued by the government, will be successful.
She added that this problem is inevitable pass. All good things will continue to rise higher than they were before. In view of this, the ability to pass the international challenges as a country is of great value, and diligence should increase as it remains in the grip of history. “And we would continue our efforts to save humanity and create a disease-free workplace, as the national call to action, employer and employee, has been addressed in the workplace, and beyond.”
In addition, PM Abiy Ahmed in his message to the World Workers’ Day, there are many struggles that have been made to ensure that the worker is paid for the services of the community. The struggle is also for same payment for the same work, job security and well-being in the workplace, his human rights, and the right to organize. In Ethiopia, even though the number of workers is small, the struggle for independence and the struggle it has today are far more than history.
It is well known that the present day globally is not as in the old days, just to say, “The world will become a whirlwind.” But the world is nothing without her working children.
“As our country’s travel is geared towards expanding the industry, we believe that when we talk about the labor community, we are talking about the next Ethiopia. When we think about the living, working and health conditions of the workforce; when we think about the rights and benefits of the workforce, we think about tomorrow,” he said.
It is hoped, therefore, that the relationship between the worker and the employer will be the intended relationship of tomorrow. It must be based on cooperation and support, governed by law and morality, the right of workers to align with the growth of the country and the peace of the industry. An industry where workers’ rights are not respected is a lifeless industry. Workers who do not work to make their industry safe and profitable are suicide bombers.
As to Dr. Abiy, employees and employers are two entities working for a national goal. Help and reciprocal, negotiated and agreed, not contradictory and conflicting will be effective. Collaboration is the best way, not coercion.
“We are looking for wealthy people who enter the industry with research and courage, overcome obstacles, and build cross-generation manufacturing. We are also looking for workers who can transform the vision of these wealthy people into action, professionally and disciplined. Our prosperity tomorrow is the result of the sum of the two.”
Employers must respect workers’ rights, protect their interests, and support their organization, even for their own sake. An employee who is not respected and valued will not be productive and healthy. Employees must maintain the industry’s profitability, security, cost savings, peace and sustainability, because their country is the foundation for their growth. This year’s
World Workers Day is worth celebrating with this spirit.
This year’s Labor Day is celebrated in a world engulfed in Corona pandemic. The pandemic has come to be a challenge to political, economic, health, social security and etc. For workers, this creates serious job security threats. In particular, it is vital making sure that the manufacturing industry, which has begun to walk in the country, not to draw back to initial point. It is a time to act with great wisdom, responsibility and determination.
On the one hand, the government is taking necessary steps to ensure the protection of workers’ labor, while at the same time keeping the manufacturing industry intact. It is also working with different bodies and providing needed support. The employee needs to work more in a way that can offset the challenges the nation faced. On the other hand, employee should try to reduce the impact and age of the disease by protecting themselves, their family and others.
Whether one has to do his/her work at home or at work place, no need to be weary. It is not a season for plenty of rest but should take a lot of working time. It is a time that needs hard work to prevent waste and save money. “We must overcome this moment by exploring new ways to solve the challenges we face, replacing our high cost foreign products, sharing our knowledge and resources with others,” he urged.
“The option ahead is two. Either the corona passes on us, or we pass on the corona. If we passes on the Corona, it is reward of the sacrifices we have made, the ideas we have produced, the products we have created, the partnerships we have created locally, the time, the knowledge, and the money we have spent to overcome Corona.”
“Contrary, if the Corona passes on us, it is the loss we face; it is the failures to the clutter we created, the work we have done, the decisions we have made; the failure of sacrifices we have paid in confronting the pandemic. It is my firm belief that Ethiopian workers will not allow Corona to pass on us, but that we will pass on Corona,” he said.
The Ethiopian Herald May 5/2020
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
