May 1 is International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day, which is celebrated in some countries including Afghanistan. Officials of the National Unity Government (NUG) said that the rate of unemployment has decreased 6 percent compared to previous years. Yet thousands of educated youths complain of unemployment. Members of the National Assembly and the public blame lack of work opportunities as the root cause for insecurity in the country. The National Worker’s Union of Afghanistan (NUWA) is concerned about rising levels of unemployment in the country. The history of Labour Day goes back to May 1, 1886, when workers’ unions in the United States decided to go on strike for the right to an 8-hour work day. This strike was followed by a bomb blast in Chicago’s Haymarket Square on May 4 that led to the death of several people and police officers. In addition, more than 100 people were injured in the blast. Although the protests in the US didn’t lead to any immediate result, yet it helped establish the 8-hour work day norm in India and many other countries in the world.
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