Labour Day is an annual celebration of the achievements of workers around the world. Though many countries celebrate it on different days of special significance to their respective labour forces, most, including Pakistan, observe the day on May 1.

The date was chosen to commemorate May 4, 1886, in which workers peacefully protesting the killing of labourers and demanding an eight-hour work day as a right clashed with Chicago police, resulting in several deaths and injuries.

All over the world, labour organisations hold different events focused on their rights on the Labour Day holiday. In South Asia in general and Pakistan in particular, its significance, however, seems to be lost on most of the people who depend on daily wages to survive.