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The 91st May Day
The 100 years since the 1st May day in Japan
Workers of the world, unite! and realize Decent Work for All!

What is May Day?
In the US, unions and workers decided to call for a general strike on May 1, 1886, to enforce demands for employers to observe the eight-hour day and, May 4, the Haymarket Massacre occurred in Chicago. On July 14, 1889, the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, there assembled in Paris leaders from labor movements of many lands. Those assembled heard from the American delegates about the struggle in America for the eight-hour day. Inspired by the example of the American workers, those assembled decided to organize a great international demonstration on May 1, 1890, the 1st International Workers’ Day, namely, May Day. After that, May Day has prompted the solidarity among workers of the world and demanded the people’s well-being.

In Japan, on May 2, 1920, at Ueno Park, 1st May Day was celebrated by 10,000 workers demanding the eight-hour day, the employment policy, the minimum wage system, etc., and some of which have been our demand for 100 years until today! After 1st May Day, since 1921, May Day had been celebrated on May 1 every year but in days of war the authorities had suppressed and prohibited workers’ celebrating May Day. It is 100 years since 1st May Day in Japan, today we will celebrate May Day 2020 as the International Workers’ Day 2020 and appeal to the public.

We are forced to rally to go online May Day 2020 by new corona virus pandemic though many problems are piling up. Problems for us to tackle are to stop Abe’s drive to revise pacifist Constitution for making war, to raise consumption tax for pleasing business organizations, to weaken Labor Law for cozying up to big firms, and to destroy social security for snuggling up to the rich, etc., and of course to say nothing of the problems of relocation of US base in Henoko, Okinawa Prefecture and re-operating nuclear power plants throughout the country.

This year 2020 is memorable because it is 100 years since 1st May Day in Japan. And we are forced to rally to go online this year by new corona virus pandemic. We, Kanagawa-Roren, are trying to strengthen the solidarity of workers by making website, going hand in hand with many union members and workers, and making them participate in May Day 2020.
New corona virus pandemic could lay self-restraint on us, but it cannot lay restraint on our movement. Let’s raise our voice without hesitation and appeal to public with dignity!

神奈川労連

メーデーとは（英文）

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