In Nepal, labor is not just work, it is life. It is the farmers waking up before dawn in the hills of Rolpa, the women weaving clothes in a small workshop in Bhaktapur and the migrant workers in Qatar sending every rupee he earns back home to educate his younger sister and support his family. These stories are everywhere, yet they are rarely told.

Every year on May 1st, Nepal joins the world in observing International Labor Day to honor the immense contributions of workers to the nation’s progress and prosperity. It is a day of recognition, reflection and renewed commitment to justice and dignity in the workplace.

A Brief History of Labor Day in Nepal

Labor Day, also called Majdoor Diwas in Nepali is rooted in the international labor movement that began in the late 19th century. The day has gained significance over the decades as labor rights became a central issue during political and social transformations in Nepal. Since the restoration of democracy in the 1990s, workers’ voices have grown stronger and the government has increasingly acknowledged the importance of fair labor practices.

Why Labor Day Matters

In Nepal, Labour Day is not just a date on the calendar. It’s a chance to finally stop and say thank you to the people who are often ignored. It’s a reminder that no job is “low” and no worker deserves to be invisible. But it is also a day of reckoning because while we celebrate, many workers still face daily struggles such as low wages, no contracts, long hours and unsafe work environments.

Beyond Celebration: A Call for Change

True respect goes beyond just one day of recognition. It is fair wages, in listening to the voices of those who sweep our streets, serve us tea or carry bricks on their backs. It is in ensuring our laws don’t just exist on paper but in practice. And it’s in shifting how we, as a society, see dignity in every kind of work.

A Message of Solidarity

This Labor Day, let us stand in solidarity with every worker that wakes up early to till the land, those who work long hours in factories and those who build our infrastructure brick by brick. Let us thank them not only in words but through meaningful reforms and respect for their rights.

Let Nepal be a country where dignity of labor is not just a slogan, but a reality.
Happy Labor Day 2025!

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