May Day 2017: PM Narendra Modi Salutes Determination of Workers

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted workers on Labour Day, saying they play a big role in the country's progress.

"Today, on Labour Day we salute the determination & hardwork of countless workers who play a big role in India's progress. Shrameva Jayate!," he tweeted.

International Workers' Day also known as Labour Day celebrates the spirit of labourers.

On Sunday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also greeted the labour and working class in the state.

Singh in the message urged workers and labourers to mark the occasion with the pledge to fight for and protect their rights. "Let us not simply observe the occasion for the sake of propriety. Let us vow to imbue the spirit of the day into our systems to safeguard the rights of the workers and labourers, who make a significant contribution to our lives," he said.

Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje also greeted labourers on Sunday.

Singh said the labourers work for nation's development and urged them to take the state forward with their hard work and dedication.

While Raje said that the state's development is dependent on the hard working labourers.

The Chief Minister said the welfare and empowerment of the labourers is the priority of the government.

She urged the organisations and the NGOs to work with the state government for the welfare of the labourers.

From Tamil Nadu, Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister K Palaniswami also extended their May Day greetings on Sunday.

The celebrations of Labour Day is to reaffirm our faith, respect and honour the working class who have put in collective efforts to set the wheels of progress in motion," Rao said in a Raj Bhavan statement.

In the new era of modernisation, the working style has undergone "dramatic changes," and employees and companies have become global and diverse than ever before, he said.

"Let us resolve to promote a safe, competitive and healthy environment, ensure security and contribute for further betterment of the working community and their families," he said, extending his greetings.

Palaniswami recalled that the day was celebrated to remind that the "world is because of labourers and for the labourers."

He wished for prosperity and all round welfare of the working class, saying "they are tirelessly working for the country's growth."

The UNESCO will be airing a series of radio programmes to evoke sympathy amongst urban dwellers towards migrants, starting on May 1 i.e. Labour Day.

The first radio programme, to go live on Monday, will be aired on three channels of All India Radio – FM Gold, FM Rainbow and MW Indraprastha.

The complete series will be broadcast over a period of 4 weeks, on weekdays, twice a day, from May 1 till May 26.

The radio programmes will highlight unique characteristics of migrants in the cities, like their work as agents of development, upholders of cultural diversity, contributors to skill diversity, symbols of new aspirations and migrant working woman.