The May Day ritual, with its colorful parades and standardized lists of grievances, cannot mask an inconvenient truth: in this country, Labor Day has become a day of mourning for those without jobs. As the highest levels of government prepare to meet with the unions, it is our duty to be clear-sighted and look at this shadow army, these thousands of young graduates whose job, paradoxically, is to find a job.

Let's face it. Unemployment in our country isn't a vacation; it's a grueling activity, a daily quest demanding total dedication. Going out at dawn, crisscrossing industrial parks, sending out countless cover letters, and facing the deafening silence of recruiters is a constant struggle. It's a full-time job, but one without pay, without protection, and, let's face it, without institutional dignity.

The truth is that our current system is a machine for producing uncertainty. We leave young people, often brilliant, to exhaust themselves in a solitary, unsupported search. The market is saturated, certainly, but above all, it is disorganized. The state can no longer simply be a spectator or a mere distributor of social welfare. The stock market, as it is currently conceived, is passive assistance that perpetuates the illusion of a career path where there is only waiting.

It is time to undertake a clear and courageous structural reform. Innovation must move beyond mere rhetoric and become an integral part of the academic process. Starting at the Master's level, scholarships should no longer be a handout, but rather the reward for a truly immersive experience. Mandatory, paid internships must be established and integrated into the curriculum, so that every student is, by definition, a productive intern before becoming a job seeker. Alternating between classroom learning and practical experience must become the golden rule: learning while serving the nation, and working while consolidating acquired skills.

Today, the gap between a degree and a first job is a chasm where the country's brightest talents are lost. Without experience, there is no future. And without opportunities for immersion, there is no experience. This vicious cycle must be broken through a strict and systematic support policy.

May 1st should no longer be a magical interlude reserved for those with high paychecks. It must be an opportunity for the authorities to tell young people the truth: the job search must cease to be a solitary struggle and become a clearly defined path, recognized by the Republic.

To you who search, with the tenacity of builders: your courage is the true driving force of the country. The Republic owes you a method, not just hopes.

Happy holidays to those who are fighting, and above all, good luck with your research.

Betu Wurus