May Day commemoration: from labour movement to modern workforce

May Day commemoration: from labour movement to modern workforce

Greetings and welcome back to Privy Presents, a newsletter specifically curated by the Privy team to discuss digital identity and other closely related topics, delivered to you every Wednesday. 

It is internationally known that May 1st marks May Day, a day dedicated to honoring the labour movement and contributions of workers worldwide. In this era, where technological landscape experiences rapid advances, hard work of workers and its intersection with technology presents challenges as well as new opportunities. Let us celebrate the dedication and perseverance of workers, the impact of technology on labour practices, and the evolving dynamics of the modern workforce. 

  

The origin of May Day 

May Day roots back to the springtime celebrations, having gained more significance in the late 19th century, the 1880s to be precise, when workers protested for better working conditions.  

A Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886 conjured clashes between workers and police which turned violent. Following this event, the International Socialist Congress called for global demonstrations on May 1st, which led to the establishment of International Workers’ Day. 

Ever since then, the date May 1st has become a day to honor workers’ rights and commemorate their contributions to society. It’s usually marked by rallies, marches, and community events, symbolizing and emphasizing the ongoing struggle for fair labour practices and social justice for workers everywhere. 

In Indonesia, labour movement celebrated the first May Day in 1918 during the anti-colonial movement. The celebration continued until 1965, before it was banned during the New Order regime (1966-1998) and replaced as Workers’ Day every February 20. 

Eventually, due to strong demands by the labour movement, May Day was recognized again, and the government made May Day a public holiday in 2013. 

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The modernization of labour 

Developments in technology, including automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital platforms, have significantly influenced labour practices, transforming how workers do their jobs. It is true that these innovations have boosted efficiency and productivity in various sectors, but they have also sparked concerns about job displacement and the decrease of traditional labour rights. 

Additionally, according to research conducted by an HR services firm, TeamLease Services, only 1% of blue-collar jobs were currently at risk of being automated by AI in contrary to its white-collar counterpart. In fact, AI can enhance the productivity of blue-collar workers in ways that could improve their wages, and companies are already investing in such technology. 

While there is a risk of technological advancements replacing workers, it remains crucial to integrate these developments into both blue-collar and white-collar professions. 

 

Privy in assisting co-existence between technology and labour 

Instead of limiting the scope of workers, Privy serves as a technological tool aimed at facilitating the coexistence of technology and labour by simplifying daily tasks through automation. In addition to digital signature and identity, Privy can also be the answer of your document legitimation using e-meterai as well as e-seal. 

Just as technology and work culture constantly evolve, Privy is committed to continuously improving itself with each step. That's why Privy has introduced the New Privy, packed with additional features and enhancements designed to streamline workflows and ensure greater efficiency. 

New improvements included: PrivyChat, Personal Plan, Enterprise Plan, and new signing flow. Find out more about Privy’s new development here

 

Thank you for reading and we’ll see you next Wednesday! 

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