From an office, a trade or a hotel zone, every person who carries out a work activity to accrue a salary deserves fair conditions and the claim of their rights: benefits of law, a dignified day and access to insurance.
Labor Day commemorates the fight of millions of workers That, day by day, they drive the economic development of the country. He also remembers those who, since the end of the 19th century, fought for fundamental rights, as a maximum day of eight hours and against salary discrimination, principles that are still sought to generalize in Guatemala.
Celebrated every May 1, International Workers Day has its origins in the industrialized world. At that time, the working hours extended up to 18 hours a day and the payment was unequal according to the worker.
During those years a marked discrimination against women, older people and children were also evidenced, who were hired with lower salaries or to perform heavy jobs.
THE ORIGIN OF THE LABOR STRUCTURE
The formal struggle for decent working conditions began in 1868, when the first changes to eight -hour days were promoted. This proposal was based on the philosophy of the “three eights”: eight hours of work, eight rest and eight sleep.
The reforms were promoted by the then president of the United States, Andrew Johnson. However, business pressure made such provisions applied optionally, which motivated greater protests.
The turning point arrived on May 1, 1886, when Chicago workers made a general strike, known as the Haymarket revolt, to demand respect for the limited working hours. The demonstration resulted in clashes with the police, which launched explosives to disperse workers, which resulted in the death of several strikers.
That event became a symbol of the labor struggle. Three years later, in 1889, the Socialist Workers Congress of the Second International declared on May 1 as International Labor Day, in tribute to the Martyrs of Chicago.
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Labor Day in Guatemala
In Guatemala, the labor movement took to consolidate. At the end of the 19th century, the country had little industrial presence and the number of organized workers was limited. It was even the government of Manuel Estrada Cabrera that, with the aim of improving the image of the country to the United States, the first workers associations were promoted.
However, the struggle for labor rights was strengthened in 1947, when workers from different industries led marches in rejection of US economic domain and their effects on local workers.
As a result of these mobilizations, President Juan José Arévalo promoted the creation of the Labor Code, approved by Decree 330 of the Congress of the Republic. This document established the rights and duties of employers and workers, dignifying work and their remuneration.
Since then, on May 1 it is recognized as a national ruling, in commemoration of the labor struggle and as a day to remember the importance of decent work and advances in the country’s labor legislation.