May 1st, International Workers’ Day, stands as a historical symbol of the resistance, solidarity, and organized struggle of the working class against capitalist exploitation. May Day is not merely a day of celebration; it is a powerful expression of the working class’s will to unite their labor power and resist capitalism. The organization of workers is a fundamental necessity in the fight against exploitation, inequality, and injustice, serving as a cornerstone of the class struggle.
Historical Origins of May Day
The origins of May Day are rooted in the working class’s resistance against long working hours and poor working conditions. In 1886, a movement in Chicago, USA, calling for an eight-hour workday began with a significant strike, symbolizing defiance against the oppression imposed on the working class by capitalism. Over time, May 1st became recognized worldwide as a day of solidarity and struggle for the working class. This historic day demonstrates the critical importance of workers standing together as an organized force against the capitalist order.
The Importance of Workers’ Organization
The most essential condition for the emancipation of the working class is workers’ awareness and organization. Capitalism treats workers merely as a means of production, exploiting them to maximize profit. The lack of organization among workers hinders their ability to resist this exploitation, leaving the working class vulnerable to the pressures of the capitalist class. Workers must come together in a conscious, organized manner to fight against injustices created by capitalism, including low wages, long working hours, and unsafe working conditions. Unions, workers’ committees, and socialist parties are vital tools that empower workers to protect their rights and build resistance against capitalism.
Class Solidarity Against Capitalism and Imperialism
The organized struggle of workers is important not only at the national level but also internationally. Capitalist exploitation transcends national borders, oppressing the working class worldwide. Imperialist states exploit workers globally, forcing them to work under oppressive conditions for minimal wages. Therefore, international solidarity among workers is essential in resisting both capitalism and imperialism. Through organizations that foster class consciousness, workers should resist not only the capitalist class within their own countries but also the global capitalist system.
The Fight for a Classless Society and Workers’ Liberation
In Marxist-Leninist ideology, the true liberation of the working class is only possible within a classless, exploitation-free social order: socialism. To build socialism, the working class must seize power, socialize the means of production, and establish social justice. The inequalities produced by capitalism can only be overcome through the organized struggle of workers. Therefore, workers’ fight for their rights is also a step toward the construction of socialism. In a classless society, workers will receive the full value of their labor, ending exploitation and oppression.
Workers, Unite!
May 1st is not just a holiday; it is a day of struggle in which the working class raises its voice against the capitalist system. The organization of workers not only enables them to combat the inequalities created by capitalism but also serves as a powerful step toward socialism. Given today’s crises, poverty, and unemployment, it is more essential than ever for workers to organize and fight in solidarity.
On May 1st, we proclaim: Workers, unite! Through organized struggle, let us fight together to dismantle capitalism and build a classless society!
