May Day is a very special date for millions of people around the world. It is International Workers' Day, a day that commemorates the historic struggle of the workers' movement for better working and social conditions.

The origin of this celebration dates back to the end of the 19th century, when factory workers in the United States rebelled against the 12 and even 18-hour workdays to which they were subjected. Under the slogan "eight hours of work, eight hours of leisure and eight hours of rest", they began a general strike on May 1, 1886, to demand compliance with the Ingersoll Act, which established a maximum working day of eight hours. The protest was violently repressed by the police, especially in Chicago, where a bomb attack in Haymarket Square killed several officers and demonstrators. Eight anarchist union leaders were tried and convicted for the event, although their responsibility was not proven. Five of them were executed and three pardoned years later. They are known as the Chicago martyrs or the Haymarket martyrs.

In 1889, the Socialist Workers Congress of the Second International, held in Paris, agreed to establish May 1 as International Workers' Day, in honor of the fallen in Chicago and in recognition of the struggle for the eight-hour day. Since then, this date has become an occasion for different social and labor demands in favor of the working classes, mainly by the so-called anarchist and communist movements, among others.

At present, the first of May is a national holiday in most countries of the world, although not in the United States or Canada, where Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September. In many places, peaceful demonstrations are held to defend workers' rights and denounce the injustices and inequalities that still persist in the workplace. But it is also a day to celebrate the achievements and advances that have been made thanks to the workers' struggle, such as the reduction of the working day, the minimum wage, paid vacations, social security, freedom of association, the right to strike, gender equality, protection against arbitrary dismissal and the prevention of occupational hazards.

On this special day, I congratulate all workers around the world for their efforts, dedication and contribution to the economic and social development of their countries. I also wish to encourage them to continue fighting for their rights and for decent and dignified work for all. Happy International Workers' Day!