May Day paradox
The move of the traditional Labor Day celebration, May 1, to May 7 has turned out to be a typical display of modern Greek paradox, as it means that Greeks will be celebrating two May Days, throwing workers and businesses into confusion and leading to a seven-day weekend, as many people are likely to abstain from work on Thursday – the only working day – which bridges a long weekend. In a country which is seeking to boost its economic activity, the decision appears irrational and conveys a counterproductive message of idleness. The reason for the arrangement is actually more absurd that the outcome, as the decision to move the labor holiday was prompted by intense pressure from shopowners on the government and particularly Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas. The former were worried that a holiday on Wednesday would spark a massive exit from the city from Tuesday, hence limiting their Easter profits. Reppas met their demand, without considering that business in the urban centers (supposing that losses would indeed be considerable) would be transferred to the periphery, whose economic activity he is seeking to boost anyway. Furthermore, the labor minister seems to have ignored the historic significance and symbolism of May Day celebrations which combine the burden of labor struggles and the dimension of a mass, popular springtime celebration: «red flags and red carnations.» This tradition, which eventually led to the establishment of May Day as a national holiday, cannot be sidelined in order to serve commercial needs and demands. Labor unions rightfully declared a strike to celebrate their «own» day, showing a complete disregard for the desires of shopowners and any third parties. Sidelining these essentials would be absurd regardless of the identity of the party in power. The paradox, however, is intensified by the fact that the transfer of the holiday and the weeklong shutdown of the economy were decided by a government which boasts of its socialist credentials (and hence its respect for May Day celebrations) and its pro-growth policies. It is imperative that the government revoke its decision, even though that will upset the planning of households and bookings. This is not only out of respect for economic principles but primarily for the history of a commemoration on which the government itself swears.
