Today, 1st May 2020, marks International Workers Day.

It is a day of great significance for labour rights campaigners, as it commemorates past labour struggles against a host of workers’ rights violations, including lengthy workdays and weeks, poor conditions and child labour. It also highlights the vital role of trade unions, and their profound achievements in securing rights for workers.

On 28th April, people across the UK observed a minute’s silence to commemorate International Worker’s Memorial Day. It focuses on those who have lost their lives at work, remembering in particular those working on the frontline of the coronavirus response.

The coronavirus pandemic has served to highlight the vital role of key workers in our society, in caring for people, and providing essential services. It is imperative that our key workers receive the gratitude and recognition that they deserve today, and when this crisis abates.

Whilst the usual events to mark International Workers Day will not take place, there are several online events happening throughout the day to celebrate it:

https://www.facebook.com/events/231031471339529

Grahame Morris MP has supported and shared several campaigns over recent weeks that recognise and thank key workers:

The Co-Operative Party launched a campaign which invites people to sign a thank you card to the nation’s shopworkers.

People can add their name or leave a personal message of thanks, which the Co-Operative Party share with shopworkers on social media. You can add your name by clicking on the following link:

https://party.coop/thankyoushopworkers

A campaign by the Company Chemists’ Association is encouraging people to share a message of thanks to pharmacists on social media by using #pharmacyheroes

A campaign launched by NHS Property Services, the provider of 5,000 frontline non-clinical workers, is urging the public urged to use social media to nominate their #HiddenHeroes and celebrate those often-overlooked NHS staff keeping people safe