On Wednesday, May 1, as the country is celebrating May Day, political leaders from across the country, cutting across party lines, have taken to the micro-blogging site Twitter to wish the workers and labourers of the country and commend, acknowledge, and show gratitude to the workforce of India for their incessant and vital contribution in the building of the nation.

Across the world, Labour Day or May Day commends the hard work of workers and celebrates their achievements and contributions.

President Ram Nath Kovind, acknowledging the hard work of the workforce, shared his wishes to both men and women workers on his official Twitter handle:

On Labour Day, greetings and good wishes to our hardworking workers, both men and women. We celebrate the grit and dedication of our countless workers who continue to build our country and lay the foundations for a better, more prosperous India #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 1, 2019

श्रमिक दिवस के अवसर पर, कठोर परिश्रम करने वाले सभी श्रमिक भाई-बहनों को बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएँ। इस दिवस पर हम उन अनगिनत मजदूर भाई-बहनों की हिम्मत और निष्ठा का सम्मान करते हैं जो देश के निर्माण में लगे हुए हैं और एक बेहतर, अधिक समृद्ध भारत की नींव तैयार कर रहे हैं — राष्ट्रपति कोविन्द

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 1, 2019

West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, shared May Day greetings,  mentioning the social security benefits that the state government provides for the unorganised workers through the Samajik Suraksha Yojana:

On #InternationalWorkersDay, greetings to all workers around the world & their families. In #Bangla we are providing a comprehensive package of social security benefits like PF, health cover, etc. universally to unorganised workers of the State through Samajik Suraksha Yojana 1/2

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 1, 2019

#InternationalWorkersDay There has been a four-fold increase in the number of subscribers under the Samajik Suraksha Yojana. Nearly 1 crore workers are covered under this new and improved scheme 2/2

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 1, 2019

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted:

My warm greetings on #InternationalWorkersDay to all worker friends and their families. I salute them for their dedication and hardwork in building our nation strong and prosperous.#InternationalLabourDay pic.twitter.com/XK3YV45KX6

— Chowkidar Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) May 1, 2019

Union Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted:

This Labour Day, I salute the resolve, zeal and drive of all those who work hard to make India a proud country! #InternationalLabourDay #LabourDay2019 #MayDay2019 #MayDay pic.twitter.com/avLRhftq4p

— Chowkidar Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) May 1, 2019

BJP spokesperson and candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha seat in Odisha, Sambit Patra tweeted:

For All those who toil & construct so that others may enjoy .. Happy #MayDay #LabourDay2019 pic.twitter.com/i5SfyTXZdA

— Chowkidar Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) May 1, 2019

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted:

On #MayDay, I salute our diligent & laborious workers, be it in farms, offices or factories. Their quiet and continuous sweat & toil has been integral to Punjab’s growth & development. Lets pledge to stand by them & work to bring smiles in their lives. #LabourDay pic.twitter.com/GkFkc2cB2f

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 1, 2019

Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted:

आज ,श्रमिक दिवस के अवसर पर अपनी कर्म साधना के बल से देश के सपनों को हकीकत में बदलने वाले सम्मानित श्रमिकों कर्मयोगियो का हार्दिक वंदन एवं अभिनंदन ।श्रमेव जयते।#LabourDay pic.twitter.com/OVDuDcDuUm

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 1, 2019

The Communist Party of India (Marxist), West Bengal State Committee tweeted:

In India, #MayDay was first celebrated in Chennai on 1 May, 1923 following an initiative by the Labour Kisan Party. A resolution was passed demanding declaration of May Day as a holiday
Pic: Triumph of Labour at the Marina Beach in Chennai#May1st #MayDay2019 #LabourDay2019 pic.twitter.com/w8FTPttiBQ

— CPI(M) WEST BENGAL (@CPIM_WESTBENGAL) May 1, 2019

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted:

May Day greetings to all. Workers in Delhi now get highest minimum wages in India and we are committed to a dignified livelihood for all and exploitation of none

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 1, 2019

May 1 also marks the foundation day of the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people on Gujarat Diwas and Maharashtra Diwas.

The first May Day celebration in India was organized in Madras (now Chennai) by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on 1 May 1923. This was also the first time the red flag was used.