Labour Day: Respect the hands that build our lives

Dr (Fr.) Mukti Clarence S.J.

Yesterday, the world paused to observe Labour Day. From the biggest cities to the smallest villages, people remembered and honoured the workers who build, clean, protect, and sustain our everyday lives. But today—after the garlands are taken down and the stages are cleared—we must ask ourselves: Do we truly respect the hands that clean our rooms, guard our gates, sweep our streets, and serve us food every day?

In Jamshedpur, our beloved city shaped by the vision of Jamsetji Tata, the value of labour has always been honoured. Tata believed that the community was not just part of industry—it was its very purpose. He ensured that workers received more than just wages—they received dignity: through housing, healthcare, education, and a clean environment. Even today, many Tata institutions carry forward this humane legacy. This is something to celebrate—and something for all to learn from.

But outside these organised sectors, millions of workers remain invisible. These include the domestic workers, cleaning staff, peons, drivers, cooks, security guards—our support staff who keep society running quietly in the background. We see them every day, but do we really see them? Often their names are unknown. Their struggles are unnoticed. Their dignity is ignored.

We cannot forget what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. As cities shut down, these workers—abandoned and unemployed—walked hundreds of kilometres back to their villages, often barefoot, with children in their arms. Many died on the roads. The cities that once buzzed with life fell silent. Garbage piled up. Buildings stood still. Even the richest households couldn’t function without their workers. We saw clearly how essential these people are—but have we truly changed since then?

Most of them still live in cramped, unsafe homes. Their children struggle to stay in school. Health services are out of reach. Their work hours are long, and wages low. The cycle of poverty continues.

And yet, they continue to work—with quiet faith and resilience. They carry pain in their bodies, and hope in their hearts. We see in them the face of God, the strength of humanity, and the spirit of sacrifice.

Every religion—Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism—teaches us the sacredness of honest labour. In the Christian tradition, we remember St. Joseph the Worker, a simple carpenter and the foster father of Jesus. He reminds us that no work is small and every worker deserves honour. His example is not just for Christians, but for all who believe in dignity, humility, and justice.

Even in the world of thought, Karl Marx boldly spoke out against the exploitation of labour. He reminded us that workers are not machines—they are human beings with dreams, families, and rights. A society that forgets them will slowly forget its soul.

There is still hope. Yesterday, many schools, colleges, factories, and institutions in Jamshedpur and beyond celebrated Labour Day with love and gratitude. Support staff were honoured, thanked, and made to feel visible. This is a beautiful and meaningful change. But let us ensure it is not just a one-day celebration. Let this moment awaken our conscience.

Let us not stop with flowers and sweets. Let us work for real change—respect, fair wages, proper working conditions, health care, and education for their children. Let us know their names, listen to their stories, and treat them not as “less than” but as equal citizens of our shared society.

We don’t need wealth to be kind. We need compassion and courage.

Let Jamshedpur shine not just for its steel, but for its soul. Let us be a city—and a nation—where no worker feels small and every human being is treated with dignity.

Yesterday we celebrated Labour Day. Today and every day, let us stand with the workers who stand for us.

 (Dr (Fr) Mukti Clarence, S.J. is an Assistant Professor in XITE Gamharia (Autonomous) College. The views expressed are personal.)