May 1

The first day of May is very important in most countries of the world because it is a reminder of the great laborers’ victory, born in the city of Chicago, U.S.A., in winning the eight-hour work day. Prior to this date, working hours in businesses extended up to 18 hours. Workers and employees could not see their wives and children in the clear light of day because they would have to wake up at 4 a.m. and would not return home until 8 p.m. This situation was considered unjust, arbitrary and against human rights.

This fight to reduce working hours comes from the Industrial Revolution in England during the 18th and 19th centuries, which later moved to the United States and other countries that inherited industrial development at the expense of exploiting workers.

Thus, the industrial revolution ended up facilitating the organization of laborers, which allowed them to employ the strength of collective action to obtain living wages and improve living and working conditions. It was this process of the Industrial Revolution that arrived in the United States, and influenced the laborers of this country to start a bloody first day of May in 1886 to demand changes in favor of a shorter working day.

In Honduras, as in the rest of Central America, the workers and farmers’ movement came to prominence after World War II. While organizational tendencies existed before, particularly in the banana companies, they were never fully realized, as they were easily suppressed and controlled by patrons of the government.

The great workers’ strike of 1954 in the banana companies on the north coast is a truly great feat, and the genesis of other conquests for the organized movement and for farmers. Since then, albeit with some ups and downs in which union leadership developed, there have been many achievements to such an extent that, unlike modern manufacturers, the best paid salaries used to be in the banana companies.

Now that such a significant festival is celebrated in honor of work at the national level, we hope that it will be painted in a different light, not just through speeches, but through the presentation of other training options for civic and union awareness. It would be fitting to go around raising awareness about other work days, like the example given to us by the pioneers of the great strike of 1954. Then, social achievements were important, but now, the demands of society are more pressing.

Work dignifies, educates and builds society through the shining path of development. So, it is good to propose strategies for real change, not mere formalities. Congratulations on your day, workers of Honduras.