Estate workers celebrate May Day in Hatton

S. Duraisamy, Maskeliya Group Corr

MASKELIYA: "May Day had been established in 1886 at Chicago City in America with the sacrifice of workers' lives for eight hour work per day and since then it had been celebrated world over on May 01 every year, said O.A. Ramiah, General Secretary and President, Ceylon Plantation Workers' Red Flag Union, who presided over the May Day celebrations of Red Flag Union held at Christian Workers' Fellowship Auditorium, Hatton on May 01.

"This was the 121st May Day in the world. To achieve this target many workers sacrificed their lives. In 1890 in Paris it was declared that May First be a holiday. In 1992 the workers' unity was established throughout the world. Accordingly, European countries were celebrating the May Day on May First. It was made an Universal May Day in the world. It was declared as a Holiday in European and other countries as well.

In 1968 the May Day fell on a Poya Day and it was celebrated on the day itself without any postponement", he said.

P. Muthulingam, Leader of Social Development Organisation told that the war should be stopped with immediate effect. Through slogans, you cannot put an end to the grave problem of the country. The government should bring a solution to end the war.

Malliyagoda, General Trade Union Federation Leader addressing told the 400 million rupees from the entire 498 millions of EPF of estate workers had been utilised for war and we all should rally round as workers to find a lasting solution for war and let our generation live a happy and peaceful life in Sri Lanka.

Menaka Kandasamy, Leader of Women's Front of the Red Flag Union, Mr. Rajah Uswatte of CP and several others also spoke. Several resolutions were passed.