International Workers' Day

International Workers' Day is celebrated every year on May 1st to honour the contributions of workers to society.

The Catholic Church has a long history of supporting workers' rights and promoting social justice. In the late 19th century, Pope Leo XIII issued an encyclical titled Rerum Novarum, which addressed the rights and duties of workers and employers. The encyclical stressed the importance of fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to form unions.

The Church continues to promote the dignity of work and the rights of workers today. In 2015, Pope Francis issued an encyclical called Laudato Si', which emphasized the importance of caring for our common home, the earth, and the people who live on it. The document includes a section on "Integral Ecology and the Dignity of Work," which calls for "the promotion of an economy that favours productive diversity and business creativity" and "the right of workers to a just wage."

On International Workers' Day, Catholics are called to remember the importance of the contributions made by workers to society and to advocate for their rights. This includes fighting for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to form unions. It also means promoting a just economy that respects the dignity of every person, including those who work to provide for themselves and their families.

As we celebrate International Workers' Day, let us remember the words of Pope Francis, who said, "We must recognize the fundamental rights of workers, including the right to a just wage and the right to rest." By working together to promote these values, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and live in dignity.