Labour Day is a day set aside to honour and celebrate the hard work of workers. It is meant to give them a break and show appreciation for their efforts. However, for many labourers in Pakistan and around the world, Labour Day looks like any other day—they keep working.
Daily wage earners, construction workers, cleaners, helpers, and others who rely on daily income often cannot afford to take the day off. If they don’t work, they don’t get paid.
While offices, schools, and many businesses remain closed and people enjoy the public holiday with family and friends, these hardworking individuals continue their jobs in the background. They are building houses, cleaning streets, carrying heavy loads, and doing other tough work with little recognition.
This shows the unfair reality of our society. The people who do the hardest work often get the least reward. They don’t always have proper safety, fixed working hours, health benefits, or even a voice to raise their concerns. And even on a day that is meant to celebrate them, they are still out there working to survive.
It is important to remember that true respect for workers goes beyond just celebrating Labour Day. It means giving them fair wages, safe working conditions, and basic rights throughout the year. It means treating every worker with dignity—whether they are a manager in an office or a labourer on the street.
Labour Day should be a reminder for all of us to do better. Let’s honour workers not just with words, but through actions that improve their lives.
