ALTHOUGH the International Labour Day is celebrated by most countries at the beginning of May each year, some countries, especially in the Americas, celebrate it around September, but the day is significant for many reasons.

While most labour unions, at their onset, were synonymous with the political past, of which the communists featured prominently, the movement transcended that connotation as it fought for the rights of workers and stopped it being an ideological struggle.

Today, it’s observed worldwide to celebrate the achievements of workers and fight exploitative labour practices that tend to bog down national economic progress. But that should just be the tip of the iceberg.

Developing countries have little to celebrate; they lack skills, and can hardly make ends meet because of an inherited hands-to-mouth approach. They need to transcend that legacy and Work for their own benefit. They should feel comfortable in the equation that when they work for the common cause, their living conditions also benefit.

Productivity should not be pegged on the traditional monthly wage or an office desk to while away as one waits retirement age. Job creation, the battle cry of our country, should be pounded in the minds of our youth and local communities should take it up and not leave it to the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) alone.

An empowered youth is what will continue to spur this country as it defies all odds.