MDP to hold May Day march

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced plans to organise a May Day march in Male’ on Thursday, 1 May.

The march will begin at 8:30 p.m. from Artificial Beach, according to the party.

Speaking about the demonstration, Mohamed Rasheed Hussain, the leader of the party's parliamentary group, said the march will focus on advocating for workers’ rights and other issues currently being discussed in the Maldives. He stated that the event will also draw attention to the recent incident involving a young woman who was found fallen from a building, a case which has sparked public concern.

International Workers’ Day, or May Day, is observed annually on 1 May in many countries around the world. The day is marked by trade unions, political parties, and members of the public, often through protests and public gatherings calling for improved labour conditions.

The origin of International Workers’ Day dates back to 1 May 1886, when a large number of industrial workers in the United States took to the streets to demand an eight-hour workday, replacing the longer working hours of 10 to 16 hours common at the time. The demonstrations began in Haymarket Square, Chicago, and escalated into a prolonged protest that led to multiple casualties. The incident became known as the Haymarket Affair.

In remembrance of the event, the International Socialist Conference designated 1 May as a day to honour workers. Since then, rallies and protests have continued in various countries each year on this date.

May Day has occasionally been marked in the Maldives with political demonstrations. In 2006, then President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom led a May Day rally for the first time. That year’s events also included participation by the MDP.

One of the largest May Day demonstrations in the Maldives took place during the administration of President Abdulla Yameen, with opposition parties, including the Adhaalath Party, staging protests against the government.