World Labour Day, also known as May Day or International Workers’ Day, is observed worldwide on May 1

May Day commemorates the historic struggles of workers and gains of the labour movement

In 1889, an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions designated May 1 as a day in support of workers

In India, May Day was observed for the first time on May 1, 1923, in erstwhile Madras (now Chennai)

May Day is observed to raise awareness among people about labour rights — from daily wages to working conditions

According to United Nations, women make only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men

UN says there’s a huge income inequality between men and women, and more women are retiring into poverty

In India, two Acts were constituted in 1996 to address the issues faced by construction workers

Building & Other Construction Workers Act & Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act were constituted in 1996

India has over 74 million people employed as construction workers, according to NSSO (2016-17) data

Government and public offices, schools and colleges remain closed on May Day

May Day goal is to ensure workers must be aware of schemes and programmes available to them for their welfare