Owei Lakemfa reflects on global workers' struggles in 140th May Day Premium Times piece
On May 1, 2026, marking the 140th Commemoration of May Day, Owei Lakemfa—former secretary general of African workers, human rights activist, journalist and author—published an opinion piece in Premium Times reflecting on global workers' conditions. The article particularly highlights the plight of Palestinian workers amid conflict with Israel, questioning where they work, send their children to school, and find shelter as offices, factories, schools and homes are destroyed by bombing.
Lakemfa extends this reflection to workers in Sudan, Ukraine, South Africa, Haiti, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and South Sudan, describing how conflict and economic collapse have devastated workers' livelihoods across these regions. He notes that countries including the US, Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Israel do not officially recognize May Day, despite its origins in the 1886 Chicago Haymarket workers' protests that led to international labor solidarity.
For Nigerian readers, this global perspective provides context for understanding international labor movements and challenges that may parallel Nigeria's own workers' rights issues. The piece underscores May Day's continued relevance as a day of solidarity with workers worldwide, observed in Nigeria as part of the international labor movement. It invites reflection on local workers' conditions, drawing inspiration from international labor solidarity while considering how global struggles relate to Nigeria's ongoing discussions about workers' rights, minimum wage, and labor protections. The article serves as a reminder of May Day's historical significance and the ongoing global fight for workers' dignity and rights.