International Labour Day: A renewed call for decent work
The Times Kuwait Report
Marked annually on May 1, International Labour Day, also known as May Day, stands as one of the most enduring symbols of workers’ rights, social justice, and economic progress. Observed across more than 150 countries, the day traces its origins to the 19th-century labour movement and the struggle for an eight-hour workday.
Today, International Labour Day serves not only as a commemoration of past struggles, but also as a platform to assess the present state of labour conditions and the evolving challenges facing workers in a rapidly changing global economy.
Enduring significance of Labour Day
At its core, Labour Day represents the recognition of workers as the backbone of economic and social development. It highlights key principles such as fair wages, safe working conditions, social protection, and the right to collective bargaining. Over the decades, the day has evolved from a protest-driven movement into a broader global observance involving governments, trade unions, and civil society. It is now used to reflect on progress made in labour rights while identifying gaps that persist across industries and regions.
International Labour Day in Kuwait carries particular significance given the country’s unique workforce composition. Expatriates account for nearly 70 percent of the population and an even higher share of the private-sector workforce, making labour policy a central pillar of economic stability and social balance. The day serves as a reminder of the essential role played by workers across sectors, from construction and domestic services to finance, healthcare, and energy, in supporting the country’s development and infrastructure growth.
Labour reforms and policy direction
In recent years, authorities have intensified efforts to modernise the labour market through regulatory reforms led by the Public Authority for Manpower. These measures aim to enhance labour mobility, improve compliance, and address longstanding structural imbalances.
Recent initiatives include opening temporary transfer windows for workers in restricted sectors, strengthening inspection regimes, and expanding digital services to streamline employment procedures. These steps reflect a broader push toward flexibility while maintaining oversight of recruitment and employment practices. At the same time, Kuwait continues to advance its “Kuwaitisation” policy encouraging greater participation of nationals in the private sector while balancing the continued reliance on expatriate labour.
Worker welfare and protections
Authorities have stepped up inspections and enforcement to ensure compliance with labour laws, particularly in sectors vulnerable to exploitation. Measures include monitoring working conditions, enforcing wage protection systems, and addressing violations related to housing and safety standards.
Domestic workers who form a significant segment of the labour force have also seen improved legal protections in recent years, though advocacy groups note that enforcement and awareness remain key challenges.
The path forward
International Labour Day in Kuwait underscores a dual reality: a labour market that is stable and functional, yet in transition. Policymakers are seeking to strike a balance between protecting workers’ rights, sustaining economic growth, and adapting to a rapidly changing global environment.
The focus going forward is expected to centre on creating a more inclusive and efficient labour system, one that offers fair opportunities for nationals while safeguarding the rights and contributions of expatriate workers who remain integral to Kuwait’s economy.
Global labour market: stability with underlying fragility
Recent data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) shows a mixed picture. On one hand, global unemployment remains relatively low at around 5 percent, one of the lowest levels recorded in decades.
However, this headline figure masks deeper structural issues:
- Youth unemployment remains significantly higher at approximately 12.6 percent globally.
- Job creation is slowing due to economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and trade disruptions.
- Employment growth is projected at about 1.5 percent in 2025, below earlier expectations.
The global labour market is therefore characterised by what experts describe as “fragile stability” steady headline figures but persistent inequality and vulnerability beneath the surface. One of the defining challenges of today’s labour landscape is inequality. While the global jobs gap has narrowed to around 9 percent, women continue to face disproportionately higher barriers to employment and income parity.
Informal employment remains widespread, particularly in developing economies, where it accounts for a majority of jobs. Workers in informal sectors often lack access to social protection, healthcare, and legal safeguards. In addition, working poverty and precarious employment have returned to pre-pandemic levels in many regions, highlighting the uneven nature of economic recovery.
Safety, health, and workplace risks
Workplace safety continues to be a major global concern. According to ILO estimates:
- Around 2.93 million workers die each year from work-related causes.
- Approximately 395 million workers suffer non-fatal workplace injuries annually.
- About 2.41 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat due to climate change.
Additionally, emerging risks such as long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace stress contribute to over 840,000 deaths annually linked to psychosocial factors.
These figures underscore the urgent need for stronger occupational safety standards and climate-resilient labour policies.
Child labour and global disparities
Despite progress, child labour remains a pressing issue. Latest estimates indicate that nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour globally in 2024, with around 54 million involved in hazardous work. Low-income countries continue to face the greatest challenges in creating decent jobs, while advanced economies grapple with ageing workforces and skills shortages.
Looking ahead, the global labour market is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technology, digitalisation, and climate change. Nearly half of all workers are expected to see significant changes in their job roles by 2030, requiring large-scale reskilling and adaptation.
At the same time, artificial intelligence and automation present both opportunities for productivity gains and risks of job displacement, particularly in routine and low-skilled occupations.
A renewed call for “decent work”
International Labour Day 2026 comes at a time when the concept of “decent work for all” remains central to global policy debates. Experts stress that achieving this goal will require:
- Stronger labour institutions and enforcement
- Expanded social protection systems
- Investment in education and skills development
- Inclusive policies that address gender and income inequalities
As the global economy continues to evolve, the challenge is not only to create jobs but to ensure that those jobs are secure, fair, and sustainable.
More than a century after its origins, International Labour Day remains deeply relevant. While significant progress has been made in improving labour conditions worldwide, the persistence of inequality, unsafe work environments, and structural imbalances highlights the need for continued reform.
In an era defined by economic uncertainty and technological change, the message of Labour Day is clear: the future of work must be built on dignity, equity, and opportunity for all.
