Trade unions mark Labour Day
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
01.05.2015 13:21
The All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ) and members of the Democratic Left Alliance party gathered in Warsaw on Friday to mark Labour Day, a public holiday in Poland.
Chairman of the OPZZ OPZZ Jan Guz (3R) and MEP for the Democratic Left Alliance SLD Joanna Senyszyn (R) lay wreaths at Grzybowski Square, Warsaw. PAP/Tomasz Gzell
Wreaths were laid at a monument on the capital's Grzybowski Square where the first ever workers' demonstration on Polish lands was held on 13 November 1904 (Warsaw was then under Tsarist Russian rule).
Chairman of OPZZ Jan Guz stressed that Polish workers still need to strive to secure adequate wages.
Labour Day is the first of the annual 3-day May break in Poland, taking in Flag Day on May 2 and Constitution Day on 3 May, the latter harking back to a progessive constitution passed in 1791, shortly before the Polish state was dismembered by Russia, Austria and Prussia.
Labour Day was the focus of much razzmatazz during Poland's spell under communist rule. However, since 1989, the day has carried less political currency, with the most colourful festivities taking place on 3 May, harking back to pre-communist Poland. (nh)
Source: PAP