MDP to Lead May Day March in Male’
A rally held by the Maldivian Democratic Party | Photo: MDP
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced plans to hold a May Day march in Malé on Thursday, 1 May.
The event is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. from Artificial Beach, according to details shared by the party.
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The march is being organised to call attention to workers’ rights and other pressing concerns currently under discussion in the country. The MDP has also indicated that the demonstration will highlight recent incidents that have raised public alarm, including the case of a young woman who was found fallen from a building in Malé.
Observed annually on 1 May, International Workers’ Day—commonly known as May Day—is marked by labour unions, political groups, and members of the public in many parts of the world. The day is typically commemorated with rallies and demonstrations advocating for improved working conditions and labour rights.
The origins of May Day date back to 1886, when industrial workers in the United States launched mass protests demanding an eight-hour workday. The demonstrations, which began in Chicago’s Haymarket Square, escalated into violence and led to multiple fatalities. The event, later known as the Haymarket Affair, became a defining moment in labour history.
In recognition of the incident, the International Socialist Conference declared 1 May as a day to honour workers globally. Since then, the date has been associated with protest movements and public gatherings aimed at supporting labour rights.
In the Maldives, May Day has occasionally been marked with political demonstrations. In 2006, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom led a May Day rally for the first time, which also saw participation from the MDP. A major demonstration occurred during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen, when opposition parties, including the Adhaalath Party, organised nationwide protests against the government.
The MDP’s planned march this year continues the tradition of using May Day as a platform to raise awareness of labour and social issues in the country.
