The proscribed CorCom greets the workers worldwide while raising concerns over persistent exploitation, economic inequality, and the worsening condition of labourers, particularly in Manipur on occasion of the International Workers’ Day 2026.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Committee, CorCom said that despite major changes in production systems and economic structures, workers continue to face exploitation in evolving forms. It observed that new economic mechanisms have introduced more complex methods of suppressing labour, even as workers’ movements across different parts of the world have secured welfare measures and improved living conditions over time. These movements, it noted, have played a defining role in shaping May Day as a symbol of labour resistance and solidarity.
Describing workers as the backbone of the global economy, the group stated that markets, production systems, and development processes rely fundamentally on their labour. It maintained that the concept of self-reliance is closely tied to the productive capacity of workers.
The statement also drew attention to the growing focus on workplace mental health. While noting the absence of a fixed universal theme for this year’s May Day, CorCom said labour organisations and allied political groups have increasingly highlighted psychological well-being as a key concern. It referred to recent observations by the International Labour Organization, which in April 2026 stressed the need to address mental health issues among workers.
Linking the global discourse to local realities, CorCom stated that the prolonged crisis in Manipur over the past few years has severely affected both the economic condition and mental well-being of workers. It cited unsafe working environments, irregular employment, and inadequate wages as continuing challenges impacting labourers across sectors. In this context, the group said the global focus on mental health holds particular relevance for the state.
The statement further described May Day as more than a symbolic observance, calling it a reminder of the need for unity, equality, dignity, and collective struggle to secure justice for workers. It urged labourers to work towards building a society free from exploitation, where rights are protected through collective action.
Placing its arguments within a broader ideological framework, CorCom referred to the theories of Karl Marx, stating that early societies were based on collective ownership without class divisions. It argued that the emergence of private property led to inequality and class stratification, resulting in the alienation of workers under capitalist systems. The statement recalled Marx’s call for workers’ unity as a continuing point of reference for labour movements.
It also traced the evolution of labour struggles following the Industrial Revolution, citing movements in countries such as China, Vietnam, and Cuba. The group referenced leaders including Mao Zedong in highlighting the role of workers and peasants in such movements. In the context of Manipur, it mentioned the legacy of Hijam Irabot as an enduring influence on regional labour activism.
Recounting historical developments, CorCom noted that key labour rights, including the eight-hour workday and social security measures, emerged from sustained struggles, particularly the 1886 labour agitation in Chicago led by the American Federation of Labor. It added that May Day has been observed internationally since 1889 in remembrance of these movements.
Despite such gains, the group stated that workers continue to face structural challenges under capitalism and neo-liberal economic policies, including widening inequality, job insecurity, privatisation, and weakening public sector institutions.
Focusing on Manipur, CorCom claimed that a large section of workers, especially in the unorganised sector, lacks access to social security. It said women workers face harsher conditions, including lower wages and minimal protection. The statement further alleged that economic disparities are compounded by the concentration of wealth among powerful entities, leaving workers in precarious conditions.
Issues related to land ownership, absentee landlords, and unequal distribution of resources were also cited as factors deepening the crisis for workers and farmers in the state. CorCom attributed these imbalances to historical and political developments following Manipur’s merger with India, adding that without systemic changes in governance and economic policies, the condition of workers is unlikely to improve.
CorCom called for stronger unity among workers and urged alignment between labour movements and broader political struggles to achieve a just and equitable society. It appealed to workers to renew their commitment to collective action in pursuit of rights, dignity, and improved living conditions.