The working class and working people of Vietnam with International Labor Day 1-5

Since the 1930s, Nguyen Ai Quoc (Ho Chi Minh) has actively spread Marxism-Leninism in Vietnam through his works, helping Vietnamese workers better understand the world communist, workers' and trade union movements, especially the Russian October Revolution and International Workers' Day (May 1), expressing solidarity with the international proletariat and workers. May 1 is closely associated with a whole process of revolutionary struggles both domestically and abroad.

Female workers at Minh Anh - Kim Lien Garment Company (Nam Dan). Photo: Archive

On May 1, 1925, workers in Cho Lon, Di An railway workers and workers in Da Nang demonstrated to express their will to protect the Soviet Union. In August 1925, workers at the Ba Son Shipyard (Saigon) went on strike to demand higher wages and to support the workers' movement in Shanghai (China). Those first struggles marked the combination of patriotism and proletarian internationalism, a milestone in the development of the Vietnamese workers' movement from spontaneous to conscious.

In February 1930, the Communist Party of Vietnam was founded. Right in its first Platform, the Party identified the role and historical mission of the Vietnamese working class as the leading class of the revolution, the core of the worker-peasant alliance. The struggle movement on May 1, 1930 opened the climax of the 1930-1931 revolution. From urban to rural areas, from North to South, many places hung the Party flag, organized rallies, marched to demonstrate power. For the first time, under the leadership of the Party and the guidance and mobilization of the Red Trade Union, workers and farmers rallied to celebrate International Labor Day (May 1), fought for their rights, and expressed solidarity with workers around the world. This was the first time that the working class and working people nationwide united in the struggle, demonstrating the invincible strength and extraordinary determination of the worker-peasant alliance. Especially at Truong Thi Railway Factory, Sawmill, Ben Thuy Match Factory (Nghe An), thousands of workers stood side by side with suburban farmers demanding an 8-hour working day and tax reduction; the struggle of 4,000 workers at Nam Dinh Textile Factory for 21 arduous days also contributed to the nationwide revolutionary movement led by the Party.

The revolutionary movement of 1936-1939, the period of the Indochinese Democratic Front, International Labor Day was publicly organized. Especially the rally on May 1, 1938, at the Hanoi Exhibition School (now the Vietnam - Soviet Union Friendship Labor Culture Palace). The rally started at 4:00 p.m. on May 1, 1938, but from noon on many streets, streams of people participating in the rally had already started to hit the streets. In total, there were over 25,000 people from 25 different groups. This was the largest rally during the democratic movement period, demonstrating the strength of the working people.

After gaining independence, on February 18, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 22c/NV/CC stipulating that May 1 is one of the official holidays of our country. On April 29, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 56 stipulating that workers are entitled to receive salary on International Labor Day (May 1). On May 1, 1946, for the first time in the history of our country, International Labor Day (May 1) was solemnly celebrated in Hanoi with the participation of 200,000 working people. On this occasion, President Ho Chi Minh read the appeal: “Together with the people of the whole country! Together with the working people! May 1st is a common New Year's Day for workers all over the world. It is a very profound meaning of solidarity. In our country, this is the first time that our people, our working people, are free to celebrate May 1st. Therefore, it has a more profound meaning. For us, it is a day to show the world that this day is not only a Labor Day, but also a day of national solidarity. Unity to maintain freedom and democracy. Unity to build the country. Unity to build a new life”.

In the process of building and defending the Fatherland, especially in the 30 years of renovation, along with the development of the country, the Vietnamese working class has grown in both quantity and quality, is present in all economic sectors, contributing more than 65% of the total social product and more than 70% of the state budget. Our country's workers and laborers have quickly accessed advanced science and technology, gradually taking on and mastering high techniques and technology, initially forming a team of intellectual workers.

The document of the 12th National Congress of the Party clearly stated: “Pay attention to, educate, train, foster, and develop the working class in both quantity and quality, improve the political capacity, educational level, expertise, professional skills, industrial style, and labor discipline of workers; ensure employment, increase income, improve working conditions, housing, and welfare facilities for workers; amend and supplement policies and laws on wages, social insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance, etc. to protect the rights and improve the material and spiritual life of workers”.

Vietnamese workers today

The 130th anniversary of International Labor Day (May 1) combined with the 70th anniversary of Uncle Ho signing Decree 56 stipulating that workers are entitled to days off and receive pay on International Labor Day takes place at a time when the entire Party, people and army are studying, thoroughly grasping and implementing the Resolution of the 12th National Congress of the Party, celebrating the 41st anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2015). The 5th year the Trade Union and the whole society organize Workers' Month according to Conclusion No. 77/TB-TW of the Secretariat to care for cadres, union members, workers and employees and on the occasion of the election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2016-2021 term. This is an opportunity for all classes of people to review the traditions, dedications and great contributions of generations of the Vietnamese working class and the Trade Union in the cause of fighting for national independence, building and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam; to commend typical and advanced collectives and individuals among workers and civil servants. At the same time, it is an opportunity for workers and civil servants to express their deep gratitude to the glorious Party, great Uncle Ho and generations of leaders of the Party and State who have always cared for, cared for and built the Vietnamese working class over the past eight decades.

Promoting the precious traditions of the Vietnamese nation and working class, celebrating the 130th anniversary of International Labor Day, the working class and working people of our country vow to unite and stand side by side with workers and working people around the world in the struggle for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress, determined to join the entire Party, people and army to successfully implement the Resolution of the 12th National Congress of the Party.

Peace(Synthetic)