China to Award Model Workers

Medals and certificates of merit are to be granted to some 994 model individuals and 296 work units before May 1, the International Labor Day.

The annual presentation of May 1 honors, sponsored by the All- China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), is designed to commend model laborers and work units for their outstanding contribution to China's economic construction and social advancement.

ACFTU spokesman Yan Hui told a press conference here Tuesday that scientists, researchers and technicians account for 24.3 percent of the total, with 43 percent having college or higher education backgrounds, each figure higher than the totals of last year.

In addition, 18.4 percent are women, 6 percent are from 18 Chinese ethnic groups, and 86.9 percent are members of the Communist Party of China. The youngest medal winner is 23 years old, said Yan, who is also the director of the publicity and education division under the ACFTU.

Those outstanding work units, covering various industries in China, reported sound economic performances last year following comprehensive reforms.

ACFTU will arrange a series of activities for International Day, and Chinese heads of state will also meet with the model workers.



International Workers' Day

International Workers' Day, May 1st, commemorates the historic struggle of working people throughout the world, and is recognized in every country except the United States and Canada. This despite the fact that the holiday began in the 1880s in the United States, with the fight for an eight-hour work day.

In 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions passed a resolution stating that eight hours would constitute a legal day's work from and after May 1, 1886. The resolution called for a general strike to achieve the goal, since legislative methods had already failed. By April 1886, 250,000 workers were involved in the May Day movement.

In its attempt to erase the history and significance of May Day, the United States government declared May 1st to be "Law Day".

we must recognize and commemorate May Day not only for its historical significance, but also as a time to organize around issues of vital importance to working-class people today.





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