On May 1, Workers’ Day, we do more than mark a date — we remember a revolution born from blisters, built on dignity, and carried forward by the unbreakable spirit of those whose work shapes our lives, yet whose names we rarely know

She wakes not to an alarm but to the first strike of a hammer. There is no day, no night — just an endless chain of work that begins before sunrise and continues after dark. The hands that bear blisters are the ones that strengthen the nation’s foundation. The sweat that falls to the ground raises towering buildings. Yet, these hands have been given more space on floors than in the pages of history.

They haven’t been counted — they’ve been brought down, bent low. But May 1 is the day when the worker straightened their back and told the world: No more.

This day is not just a date on the calendar but a symbol of the consciousness that unites voices crushed for centuries. It is the echo of the strength hidden in the sweat of labourers — a strength that can redirect rivers, split mountains, and, most importantly, transform society’s mindset.

A worker is not just a person but an idea. An idea that says labour is the foundation of creation. No uniform, no title, no rank — yet these are the most real people in the world. They may not have degrees to show, but every perfectly aligned brick is proof of their skill.

They are the ones who build cities but often get lost on their edges. They are denied entry to malls, yet they are the ones who build them. Labour is not just working; it is an unwritten poem, composed in lines of blisters, sweat, and unseen exhaustion.

It is a battle — a battle for existence, dignity, and identity that is repeatedly crushed by being called ‘unskilled’. But the truth is, the most vital skills belong to those without whom the world would become a stalled machine.

Imagine for a moment: if workers stopped working for a day, what would happen? Cities would halt, streets would empty, and the framework of our so — called modernity would crumble. Yet, how often do we salute their labour?

Today’s era is one of technology and innovation. We talk of Digital India, start-ups, and artificial intelligence, but do we forget that the engine of all this still runs on human effort? The delivery boy pedalling through scorching afternoons to bring your package — do we see the exhaustion hidden in his smile?

The welder whose eyes, sparked by more than just metal, forge the future — do we honour their art? Labour is no longer confined to factories; it is the story of every person who lives not for a ‘job’ but for a passion, even if that passion is to feed their family. It is the story of the rickshaw puller who carries the weight of his family with the strength of his legs.

It is the story of the domestic worker who weaves dreams for her children, even if she

never attended school. These people are the backbone of our society, yet how often do we dismiss them as mere ‘workers’?

The workers’ fight is not just for wages or working hours but for the respect their labour deserves. They often fight alone — sometimes with their voices, sometimes with tears, and sometimes in silence.

But when they stand together, they change history. That day in 1886, when workers in Chicago demanded an eight-hour workday, was not just an event — it was a spark that ignited labour movements worldwide.

Even today, when workers take to the streets, their voice represents not just themselves but every person who stands against injustice. No law, no Government, and no policy is greater than their collective consciousness. Workers’ Day is not just a red mark on the calendar — it is a warning to systems that believe labourers only follow orders. They also ask questions, and when they do, the world must answer.

We need a society where labour is seen not as a class but as a value. Where honest work is not looked down upon. Where a child who says, “I want to be a worker like my father,” is met with respect, not pity. This will only be possible when we view labour not just as a means of survival but as an art — a matter of pride.

We must understand that workers don’t just work — they shape dreams. They don’t just build structures — they lay the foundation of society. May 1 will truly be a festival when, instead of spending the holiday in malls, we take a step for workers’ rights. When we listen to their stories and give their voices a platform.

This day also reminds us that workers are not just a tale of the past but the architects of the future. As we speak of the environment, sustainable development, and social justice, workers are at the heart of that change. Those who grow crops in fields, operate machines in factories, or clean our streets — they are the axis keeping our planet and society alive. Yet, our policies, priorities, and thinking often push them to the margins.

We must ask: Is our development truly inclusive if workers’ contribution is limited to their labour? Is our progress genuine if its fruits don’t reach those who water its roots?

No revolution, no development, no construction is complete without the worker’s smile at its core. As long as their share is only sweat and not the rewards, our achievements remain incomplete. This day is not an empty slogan — it is the sound that rose from the strike of a hammer and can still shake our souls — if we are willing to listen.

It gives us a chance not only to remember workers’ struggles but to ask what we can do for them. Perhaps it’s time we see their labour not just as work but as a force that can change the world. Perhaps it’s time we make Workers’ Day not just a holiday but a day of resolve — a resolve to build a society where every worker stands tall, and their voice is heard. Because until the worker’s smile becomes part of our progress, no achievement of ours will ever be complete.

On May 1, we do not just honour workers, we awaken to the truth they represent. Their hands, though blistered and unseen, shape the world we live in. They are the silent force behind our cities, our comforts, and our dreams.

Yet, they remain invisible — underpaid, undervalued, and often unheard. Workers’ Day is a call not just to remember their struggles but to reimagine a society where labour is not just a necessity but a value of pride.

True progress lies in dignity for all not just in technology or wealth, but in the recognition of every hand that builds, cleans, grows, and delivers. Until we ensure their voices are heard and their efforts rewarded, our achievements remain hollow.

Let this day be a pledge — not just of gratitude but of action — to build an inclusive, just, and respectful world, where every worker stands tall and every drop of sweat is met with the respect it deserves.

On May 1, we honour not just the worker’s toil but their truth. Their sweat shapes our world, yet their worth goes unseen. Let this day remind us: without dignity for labour, progress is hollow. Real development begins when every worker’s voice is heard and their efforts valued equally.

(The author is a professor and a columnist. Views are personal)