Reader’s letter This is a debate entry, written by an external contributor. The post expresses the writer’s views.
1 May is workers’ day of struggle. When we gather on this day, it is about our fight for a fairer society. This struggle arose in a time of enormous differences between people. And the labor movement’s greatest victory is that we have built a country with small differences, great opportunities and a high degree of justice, no matter who you are and no matter what family you were born into.
The day marks the forces behind a movement that grew out of a desire that ordinary working people should also feel secure in the economy, and the opportunities and power in their own lives. It grew out of a desire to less differences.
This year LO turns 125. Even today, minor differences are about securing our most basic needs. The needs that are this year’s 1 May slogan: work, welfare and security – typify what the labor movement, the Labor Party and LO have always been concerned with and meant to people.
Because it is no coincidence that we have the right to holiday, or that we have an 8-hour day or solid pension schemes. These are just some of the results of over 100 years of hard work from those who paved the way before us.
High degree of organization in working life and many LO members on the one hand – high support for Ap in elections on the other hand. These have been the most important factors in the construction of Norway as a modern welfare state. And will also be so in the future. The battle for work, security and welfare has not been won once and for all, but must be fought again and again in the years to come.
On 1 May, this year perhaps as strongly as usual, solidarity is central. We use this day to say something about what we see outside Norway. Solidarity is as relevant today as ever.
The war in Ukraine has been going on for 2 years. At the same time, we see daily the inhuman suffering experienced by the Palestinian people. Gaza has been constantly bombed since October 7 last year, and the acts of war damage, destroy and ruin. The situation is catastrophic for the civilian population.
LO, the Labor Party and the wider political Norway have for decades after decades supported Palestinian, Israeli and international organizations that work to defend Palestinians’ rights and to bring in emergency aid such as water, food and necessary medicines. We shall continue with that. Our message is clear: The warfare must end!
At the same time, Russia continues its brutal war against Ukraine. In Ukraine, too, there is a population with a great need for humanitarian aid.
LO and the Labor Party are prepared for this war to last a long time. All parties in the Storting came together on the Nansen programme, our support for Ukraine. The Nansen program helps Ukraine to defend its people and territory against the Russian attacks and helps Ukraine maintain critical societal functions. Many countries are now following suit.
At the same time, 1 May this year is about the security of each one of us. It is about people’s safety in everyday life. Especially in a time that for many can feel extra scary. The times we live in are unpredictable. It is important that we take that seriously. And it is important that we raise the banner of solidarity extra high on 1 May this year.
Therefore, 1 May is a day we both use to look back, but also a day we use to raise the political issues that make everyday life today better for ordinary working people, and a day we use to look forward towards new goals and prepares us for new battles – both to defend and strengthen what we have, and for people in other parts of the world who need our solidarity to know that they have it.
Lise Selnes and Iver Erling Støenmanager of Innlandet Ap and regional manager of LO Innlandet
