Labor Day marked with picnics and rallies

Labor Day marked with picnics and rallies

May 1 was chosen in memory of the first mass workers' demonstration held on May 1, 1886 in Chicago, U.S., when they demanded eight-hour work day and better working conditions.

When the Soviet Union included this date in the official calendar, for ideological reasons, the United States moved its Labor Day holiday to September.

The first time the holiday was marked in Serbia was with protest rallies in Belgrade in 1893.

This year, the association of trade unions "Sloga" announced that it would not organize a protest on May 1 either in Belgrade or elsewhere in Serbia, "because trade unions are still divided among themselves." A statement added that "unions will year come out in multiple columns, without solidarity and divided, which represents defeat for the whole world of labor and one more victory for the capital."

But the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia and the United Branch Unions "Nezavisnost" will today hold a rally in Belgrade.

"Those who are not doing well will come to the protest, and those who live well will organize barbecues on May 1," said "Nezavisnost" leader Branislav Canak.

Also on May 1, a delegation of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), headed by leader Ivica Dacic, laid wreaths at the monument to Dimitrije Tucovic.

The Socialist Movement, led by Aleksandar Vucic, will celebrate in Backa Palanka, marking the holiday that has been chosen as the party's day.

The Socialist Movement announced that the even will be attended by President of the Provincial Board of the Social Democratic Party of Serbia Nenad Ivanisevic and Vice President of the Serb Progressive Party Igor Mirovic.