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{{short description|Annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers}}
{{short description|Annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers}}
{{other uses}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
⚫
<!-- please preserve the spelling "labour" in this article except when referring to the United States. -->[[File:Observance of International Workers' Day RGBY.svg|alt=|thumb|upright=1.4|Countries and dependencies coloured by observance of [[International Workers' Day]] or a different variant of [[May Day]] or Labour Day:
<!-- please preserve the spelling "labour" in this article except when referring to the United States. -->
⚫
[[File:Observance of International Workers' Day RGBY.svg|alt=|thumb|upright=2|Countries and dependencies coloured by observance of [[International Workers' Day]] or a different variant of May Day or Labour Day:
{{legend|#dd3333|Labour Day falls or may fall on 1 May}}
{{legend|#dd3333|Labour Day falls or may fall on 1 May}}
{{legend|#ffcc33|Another public holiday on May 1 or the first Monday in May}}
{{legend|#ffcc33|Another public holiday on 1 May or the first Monday in May}}
{{legend|#00af89|No public holiday on 1 May, but Labour Day on a different date}}
{{legend|#00af89|No public holiday on 1 May, but Labour Day on a different date}}
{{legend|#cccccc|No public holiday on 1 May and no Labour Day}}]]
{{legend|#cccccc|No public holiday on 1 May and no Labour Day}}]]
'''Labour Day''' is an [[Year|annual]] [[public holiday|holiday]] to celebrate the [[labour rights|achievements of workers]]. Labour Day has its origins in the [[trade union|labour union]] movement, specifically the [[eight-hour day]] movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
'''Labour Day''' is an annual day of celebration of the [[labor rights|achievements of workers]]. It has its origins in the [[trade union|labour union]] movement, specifically the [[Eight-hour day movement|eight-hour day]] movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.


For most countries, Labour Day is synonymous with, or linked with, [[International Workers' Day]], which occurs on 1 May. For other countries, Labour Day is celebrated on a different date, often one with special significance for the labour movement in that country. Labour Day is a [[public holiday]] in many countries.
For most countries, Labour Day is synonymous with, or linked with, [[International Workers' Day]], which occurs on 1 May. For other countries, Labour Day is celebrated on a different date, often one with special significance for the labour movement in that country. Labour Day is a [[public holiday]] in many countries.
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{{main|International Workers' Day}}
{{main|International Workers' Day}}


For most countries, "Labour Day" is synonymous with, or linked with, International Workers' Day, which occurs on 1 May. Some countries vary the actual date of their celebrations so that the holiday occurs on a Monday close to 1 May.
For most countries, "Labour Day" is synonymous with, or linked with, [[International Workers' Day]], which occurs on 1 May. Some countries vary the actual date of their celebrations so that the holiday occurs on a Monday close to 1 May.


Some countries have a holiday at or around this date, but it is not a 'Labour Day' celebration.
Some countries have a holiday at or around this date, but it is not a 'Labour Day' celebration.
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===Australia===
===Australia===
[[File:Hands off Timorese Oil - Brisbane May Day 2017 parade.jpg|thumb|A May Day parade in Brisbane in 2017]]
[[File:Hands off Timorese Oil - Brisbane May Day 2017 parade.jpg|thumb|A May Day parade in [[Brisbane]] in 2017]]
Labour Day in [[Australia]] is a public holiday on dates which vary between [[States and territories of Australia|states and territories]]. In some states the date commemorates the Eight Hours Day march (see below). It is the first Monday in October in the [[Australian Capital Territory]], [[New South Wales]] and [[South Australia]]{{Why|date=February 2023}}. In [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and [[Tasmania]], it is the second Monday in March (though the latter calls it Eight Hours Day){{citation needed|date=May 2023}}. In [[Western Australia]], Labour Day is the first Monday in March. In [[Queensland]] and the [[Northern Territory]], Labour Day occurs on the first Monday in May (though the latter calls it May Day).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/special-dates-and-events/public-holidays|title=Australian Government: National Public Holidays|publisher=australia.gov.au|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-date=14 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414132759/https://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/special-dates-and-events/public-holidays|url-status=live}}</ref> It is on the fourth Monday of March in the territory of [[Christmas Island]].
Labour Day is a [[Public holidays in Australia|public holiday in Australia]] on dates which vary between [[States and territories of Australia|states and territories]]. In some states the date commemorates the Eight Hours Day march (see below). It is the first Monday in October in the [[Australian Capital Territory]], [[New South Wales]] and [[South Australia]]. In [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] and [[Tasmania]], it is the second Monday in March (though the latter calls it the Eight Hours Day).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-04/93-119aa027%20authorised.pdf |title=Public Holidays Act 1993 |publisher=vic.gov.au |access-date=8 October 2024 |archive-date=19 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919000527/https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-04/93-119aa027%20authorised.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2000-096 |title=Tasmanian Legislation Online: Statutory Holidays Act 2000 |publisher=tas.gov.au |access-date=8 October 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003230751/https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-2000-096 |url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Western Australia]], Labour Day is the first Monday in March.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/prod/filestore.nsf/FileURL/mrdoc_44571.pdf/$FILE/Public%20and%20Bank%20Holidays%20Act%201972%20-%20[02-g0-00].pdf |title=Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972 |publisher=wa.gov.au |access-date=8 October 2024 |archive-date=17 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617020359/https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/prod/filestore.nsf/FileURL/mrdoc_44571.pdf/$FILE/Public%20and%20Bank%20Holidays%20Act%201972%20-%20[02-g0-00].pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Queensland]] and the [[Northern Territory]], Labour Day occurs on the first Monday in May (though the latter calls it May Day).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/special-dates-and-events/public-holidays |title=Australian Government: National Public Holidays |publisher=australia.gov.au |access-date=7 March 2016 |archive-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414132759/https://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/special-dates-and-events/public-holidays |url-status=live}}</ref> It is on the fourth Monday of March in the territory of [[Christmas Island]].


====Victoria====
⚫
The first march for an eight-hour day by the [[Australian labour movement#Early history|labour movement]] occurred in Melbourne on 21 April 1856.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alldownunder.com/australian-dates/holiday-labour-day.htm|title=Australian Public Holidays: Labour Day|work=alldownunder.com|date=1998|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-date=19 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619093412/http://alldownunder.com/australian-dates/holiday-labour-day.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> On this day, stonemasons and building workers on building sites around [[Melbourne]] stopped work and marched from the [[University of Melbourne]] to Parliament House to achieve an [[eight-hour day]]. Their direct action protest was a success, and they are noted as being among the first organized workers in the world to achieve an 8-hour day, with no loss of pay.<ref name="LewisBalderstone2006">{{cite book|first1=Wendy|last1=Lewis|first2=Simon|last2=Balderstone|first3=John|last3=Bowman|title=Events that Shaped Australia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_6TVAAAACAAJ|access-date=7 March 2016|year=2006|publisher=[[New Holland Publishers]]|isbn=978-1-74110-492-9|page=57}}</ref>

⚫
The first march for an [[Eight-hour day movement|eight-hour day]] by the [[Australian labour movement#Early history|labour movement]] occurred in [[Melbourne]] on 21 April 1856.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://alldownunder.com/australian-dates/holiday-labour-day.htm |title=Australian Public Holidays: Labour Day |work=alldownunder.com |date=1998 |access-date=7 March 2016 |archive-date=19 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619093412/http://alldownunder.com/australian-dates/holiday-labour-day.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> On this day, stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne stopped work and marched from the [[University of Melbourne]] to [[Parliament House, Melbourne|Parliament House]] to achieve an eight-hour day. Their direct action protest was a success, and they are noted as being among the first organised workers in the world to achieve an eight-hour day, with no loss of pay.<ref name="LewisBalderstone2006">{{cite book |first1=Wendy |last1=Lewis |first2=Simon |last2=Balderstone |first3=John |last3=Bowman |title=Events that Shaped Australia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_6TVAAAACAAJ |access-date=7 March 2016 |year=2006 |publisher=[[New Holland Publishers]] |isbn=978-1-74110-492-9 |page=57}}</ref>

====Queensland====
Labour Day was first celebrated with a public holiday in [[Queensland]] in 1865 as Eight Hours Celebration Day. It occurred on 1 March ([[Saint David's Day]]) and celebrated the winning of an eight-hour work day by [[Brisbane]] workers in 1858. The date was moved to May Day around 1896, in solidarity with the attack on United States workers on the first May Day parade in the [[Haymarket affair]]. In 1901, the holiday was moved to the first Monday in May, to ensure a long weekend.<ref>Radical Brisbane (2004), ISBN 0958079455, pp 231–4.</ref>


=== Bangladesh ===
=== Bangladesh ===
Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati, an organization working for the welfare of garment workers, has requested that 24 April be declared Labour Safety Day in [[Bangladesh]], in memory of the victims of the [[2013 Savar building collapse|Rana Plaza]] building collapse.<ref name = "dwelle2404">{{Cite web|title=Thousands mourn collapse victims of Rana Plaza garment factory one year on|publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]]|access-date=20 July 2014|date=24 April 2014|url=http://www.dw.de/thousands-mourn-collapse-victims-of-rana-plaza-garment-factory-one-year-on/a-17589288|archive-date=20 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720044730/http://www.dw.de/thousands-mourn-collapse-victims-of-rana-plaza-garment-factory-one-year-on/a-17589288|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangladesh.officialpublicholidays.com/national-holiday|publisher=Official Public Holidays|title=Bangladesh Official Public Holidays|access-date=27 December 2015|archive-date=30 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330010026/http://bangladesh.officialpublicholidays.com/national-holiday|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Bangladesh does observe May Day on 1st May.
Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati, an organisation working for the welfare of garment workers, has requested that 24 April be declared Labour Safety Day in [[Bangladesh]], in memory of the victims of the 2013 [[Rana Plaza collapse]].<ref name = "dwelle2404">{{Cite web |title=Thousands mourn collapse victims of Rana Plaza garment factory one year on |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |access-date=20 July 2014 |date=24 April 2014 |url=http://www.dw.de/thousands-mourn-collapse-victims-of-rana-plaza-garment-factory-one-year-on/a-17589288 |archive-date=20 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720044730/http://www.dw.de/thousands-mourn-collapse-victims-of-rana-plaza-garment-factory-one-year-on/a-17589288 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bangladesh.officialpublicholidays.com/national-holiday |publisher=Official Public Holidays |title=Bangladesh Official Public Holidays |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=30 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330010026/http://bangladesh.officialpublicholidays.com/national-holiday |url-status=live}}</ref> However, Bangladesh does observe May Day on 1 May.


===Bahamas===
===The Bahamas===
Labour Day is a national holiday in the [[Bahamas]], celebrated on the first Friday in June in order to create a long weekend for workers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/bahamas|publisher=timeanddate.com|title=Holidays in The Bahamas in 2015|access-date=27 December 2015|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121015052/http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/bahamas/|url-status=live}}</ref> The traditional date of Labour Day in the Bahamas, however, is 7 June, in commemoration of a significant workers' strike that began on that day in 1942. Labour Day is meant to honour and celebrate workers and the importance of their contributions to the nation and society. In the capital city, Nassau, thousands of people come to watch a parade through the streets, which begins at mid-morning. Bands in colourful uniforms, traditional African [[Junkanoo]] performers, and members of various labour unions and political parties are all part of the procession, which ends up at the Southern Recreation Grounds, where government officials make speeches for the occasion. For many residents and visitors to the Bahamas, the afternoon of Labour Day is a time to relax at home or perhaps visit the beach.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
Labour Day is a [[Public holidays in the Bahamas|national holiday in The Bahamas]], celebrated on the first Friday in June in order to create a long weekend for workers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/bahamas |publisher=timeanddate.com |title=Holidays in The Bahamas in 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=21 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121015052/http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/bahamas/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The traditional date of Labour Day in [[The Bahamas]], however, is 7 June, in commemoration of a significant workers' strike that began on that day in 1942. Labour Day is meant to honour and celebrate workers and the importance of their contributions to the nation and society. In the capital city, [[Nassau, The Bahamas|Nassau]], thousands of people come to watch a parade through the streets, which begins at mid-morning. Bands in colourful uniforms, traditional African [[Junkanoo]] performers, and members of various labour unions and political parties are all part of the procession, which ends up at the Southern Recreation Grounds, where government officials make speeches for the occasion. For many residents and visitors to The Bahamas, the afternoon of Labour Day is a time to relax at home or perhaps visit the beach.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}


===Canada===
===Canada===
{{main|Labour Day (Canada)}}
{{main|Labour Day (Canada)}}
[[File:1900s Toronto LabourDay Parade.jpg|thumb|right|A Labour Day parade in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the early 1900s]]
[[File:1900s Toronto LabourDay Parade.jpg|thumb|A Labour Day parade in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] in the early 1900s]]
Labour Day ([[French language|French]]: ''Fête du Travail'') has been marked as a statutory public holiday in Canada on the first Monday in September since 1894. However, the origins of Labour Day in Canada can be traced back to numerous local demonstrations and celebrations in earlier decades.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gagnon|first=Marc-André|title=Labour Day in Canada|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/labour-day/|access-date=7 September 2020|website=The Canadian Encyclopedia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910101347/https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/labour-day|url-status=live}}</ref> Such events assumed political significance in 1872, when a labour demonstration in Toronto in April 1872, in support of striking printers, led directly to the enactment of the Trade Union Act, a law that confirmed the legality of unions. Ten years later, on 22 July 1882, a huge labour celebration in Toronto attracted the attention of the American labour leader Peter J. McGuire, who organized a similar parade in New York City on 5 September that year. Unions associated with the [[Knights of Labor]] and the American Federation of Labor in both Canada and the United States subsequently promoted parades and festivals on the first Monday in September. In Canada, local celebrations took place in Hamilton, Oshawa, Montreal, St Catharines, Halifax, Ottawa, Vancouver and London during these years. Montreal declared a civic holiday in 1889. In Nova Scotia, coal miners had been holding picnics and parades since 1880 to celebrate the anniversary of their union, the Provincial Workmen's Association, first organized in 1879. In addition, in 1889, the Royal Commission on the Relations of Labor and Capital in Canada recommended recognition of an official "labour day" by the federal government. In March and April 1894, unions lobbied Parliament to recognize Labour Day as a public holiday. Legislation was introduced in May by Prime Minister Sir John Thompson and received royal assent in July 1894.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Heron|first1=Craig|title=The Workers' Festival: A History of Labour Day in Canada|last2=Penfold|first2=Steve|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=2005|isbn=0-8020-4886-2|location=Toronto|pages=31–38}}</ref>
[[Labour Day (Canada)|Labour Day]] ({{langx|fr|Fête du Travail}}) has been marked as a statutory [[Public holidays in Canada|public holiday in Canada]] on the first Monday in September since 1894. Its origins can be traced back to numerous local demonstrations and celebrations in earlier decades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gagnon |first=Marc-André |title=Labour Day in Canada |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/labour-day/ |access-date=7 September 2020 |website=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |archive-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910101347/https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/labour-day |url-status=live }}</ref> Such events assumed political significance when a labour demonstration in [[Toronto]] in April 1872, in support of striking printers, led directly to the enactment of the Trade Union Act, a law that confirmed the legality of unions.{{Citation needed |date=October 2023 }} On 22 July 1882, a labour celebration in Toronto attracted the attention of American labour leader [[Peter J. McGuire]], who organised a similar parade in [[New York City]] on 5 September that year. Labour parades were held in several Canadian cities that day as well.
Unions associated with the [[Knights of Labor]] and the [[American Federation of Labor]] in both Canada and the United States subsequently promoted parades and festivals on the first Monday in September. In Canada, local celebrations took place in [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Oshawa]], [[Montreal]], [[St. Catharines]], [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], [[Ottawa]], [[Vancouver]] and [[London, Ontario|London]] during these years. Montreal declared a civic holiday in 1889. In [[Nova Scotia]], coal miners had been holding picnics and parades since 1880 to celebrate the anniversary of their union, the Provincial Workmen's Association, first organised in 1879.
In addition, in 1889, the [[Royal commission|Royal Commission]] on the Relations of Labour and Capital in Canada, chaired by [[James Sherrard Armstrong]] (1886–88) and Augustus Toplady Freed (1888–89), recommended recognition of an official "labour day" by the [[Government of Canada|federal government]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}} In March and April 1894, unions lobbied Parliament to recognise Labour Day as a public holiday.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}} Legislation was introduced in May by prime minister [[John Sparrow David Thompson|Sir John Thompson]] and received [[royal assent]] in July 1894.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Heron |first1=Craig |title=The Workers' Festival: A History of Labour Day in Canada |last2=Penfold |first2=Steve |publisher=University of Toronto Press |year=2005 |isbn=0-8020-4886-2 |location=Toronto |pages=31–38}}</ref>


===China===
===China===
1 May is a statutory holiday in the [[China|People's Republic of China]]. It was a three-day holiday until 2008, but was only one day after 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=China scraps one of three Golden Week holidays |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/life-china-holidays-dc-idUKPEK14649920071216 |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=16 December 2007 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413053106/https://www.reuters.com/article/life-china-holidays-dc-idUKPEK14649920071216 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the actual time off is often longer than the time off in the regulations, and the extra time off is usually supplemented by another two weekends, but since the extra time is not under an official holiday, the extra days must be "made up" by working on the preceding or following weekend.<ref>{{cite news|title=调与休：黄金周长假的变迁|trans-title=Reconcile and rest: the change of Golden Week vacation|url=http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1127/c70731-23676181.html|date=2013-11-27|access-date=13 April 2022|language=Chinese|work=[[People's Daily]]|agency=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|archive-date=13 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413052529/http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1127/c70731-23676181.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2019-11-28|title="五一"假期延长至5天 解读黄金周背后的假如|trans-title="May Day" holiday extended to 5 days: Explaining the assumptions behind the Golden Week|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2019-11/28/c_1125283926.htm|language=Chinese|work=[[Xinhuanet]]|publisher=Chengdu Business News|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=13 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413052532/http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2019-11/28/c_1125283926.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> For example, in 2013, 1 May fell on Wednesday. Most workplaces, including all government offices, took Monday 29 April, Tuesday 30 April, and Wednesday 1 May off. As the first two days were not statutory holidays, they had to be "made up" by working the preceding weekend (27 and 28 April).
1 May is a [[Public holidays in China|statutory holiday in the People's Republic of China]]. It was a three-day holiday until 2008, but was only one day after 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=China scraps one of three Golden Week holidays |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/life-china-holidays-dc-idUKPEK14649920071216 |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=16 December 2007 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413053106/https://www.reuters.com/article/life-china-holidays-dc-idUKPEK14649920071216 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the actual time off is often longer than the time off in the regulations, and the extra time off is usually supplemented by another two weekends, but since the extra time is not under an official holiday, the extra days must be "made up" by working on the preceding or following weekend.<ref>{{cite news |title=调与休：黄金周长假的变迁 |trans-title=Reconcile and rest: the change of Golden Week vacation |url=http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1127/c70731-23676181.html |date=27 November 2013 |access-date=13 April 2022 |language=Chinese |work=[[People's Daily]] |agency=[[Xinhua News Agency]] |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413052529/http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1127/c70731-23676181.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 November 2019 |title="五一"假期延长至5天 解读黄金周背后的假如 |trans-title="May Day" holiday extended to 5 days: Explaining the assumptions behind the Golden Week |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2019-11/28/c_1125283926.htm |language=Chinese |work=[[Xinhua News Agency|Xinhuanet]] |publisher=Chengdu Business News |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413052532/http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2019-11/28/c_1125283926.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> For example, in 2013, 1 May fell on Wednesday. Most workplaces, including all government offices, took 29 April (Monday) to 1 May (Wednesday) as days off. As the first two days were not statutory holidays, they had to be "made up" by working the preceding weekend (27 and 28 April).


===Hong Kong S.A.R.===
===Hong Kong S.A.R.===
Labour Day, observed 1 May, has been considered a [[Public holidays in Hong Kong|public holiday in Hong Kong]] since 1999.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 July 2012 |title=新闻背景：香港回归15年大事记 |trans-title=News Background: Events in the 15 years since Hong Kong's return to China |url=https://www.chinanews.com/ga/2012/07-01/3998742.shtml |language=Chinese |publisher=[[China News Service]] |access-date=1 May 2024 |archive-date=2 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702000613/http://www.chinanews.com/ga/2012/07-01/3998742.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref>
In Hong Kong, 1 May is known as Labour Day and has been considered a public holiday since 1999.{{cn|date=September 2022}}

===India===
The first Labour Day was celebrated in India on 1 May 1923, in [[Chennai]] (then known as Madras), organised by the [[Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2024 |title=What is the significance of Labour Day or May Day? {{!}} Explained |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/labour-day-may-day-explainer-significance-history-celebration/article68127947.ece/amp/ |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=thehindu.com |publisher=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>


===Jamaica===
===Jamaica===
Before 1961, 24 May was celebrated in [[Jamaica]] as Empire Day in honour of the birthday of [[Queen Victoria]] and her emancipation of slaves in Jamaica.<ref name="jam">{{cite web |work=National Labour Day 2008 |url=http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/labourDay2008/history.htm |title=History of Labour Day |publisher=Jamaica Information Service |access-date=21 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910163817/http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/labourDay2008/history.htm |archive-date=10 September 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> As its name suggests, the day was used to celebrate the British Empire, complete with flag-raising ceremonies and the singing of patriotic songs. In 1961, [[Jamaican Chief Minister]] [[Norman Washington Manley]] proposed the replacement of Empire Day with Labour Day, a celebration in commemoration of 23 May 1938, when [[Alexander Bustamante]] led a [[British West Indian labour unrest of 1934–1939|labour rebellion]] leading to Jamaican independence.
Before 1961, 24 May was celebrated in [[Jamaica]] as Empire Day in honour of the birthday of [[Queen Victoria]] and her [[Emancipation of the British West Indies|emancipation of slaves in Jamaica and the West Indies]].<ref name="jam">{{cite web |work=National Labour Day 2008 |url=http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/labourDay2008/history.htm |title=History of Labour Day |publisher=Jamaica Information Service |access-date=21 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910163817/http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/labourDay2008/history.htm |archive-date=10 September 2009 }}</ref> As its name suggests, the day was used to celebrate the [[British Empire]], complete with flag-raising ceremonies and the singing of patriotic songs. In 1961, [[Prime Minister of Jamaica|Chief Minister]], [[Norman Manley]], proposed the replacement of Empire Day with Labour Day, a celebration in commemoration of 23 May 1938, when [[Alexander Bustamante]] led a [[British West Indian labour unrest of 1934–1939|labour rebellion]] leading to Jamaican independence.


In 1972, [[Jamaican Prime Minister]] [[Michael Manley]] promoted Labour Day as a showcase for the importance of labour to the development of Jamaica, and a day of voluntary community participation to beneficial projects.<ref name="jam"/> Since then, Labour Day has been not only a public holiday, but also a day of mass community involvement around the country.
In 1972, prime minister [[Michael Manley]] promoted Labour Day as a showcase for the importance of labour to the development of Jamaica, and a day of voluntary community participation to beneficial projects.<ref name="jam"/> Since then, Labour Day has been not only a [[Public holidays in Jamaica|public holiday in Jamaica]], but also a day of mass community involvement around the country.


===Japan===
===Japan===
In [[Japan]], Labour Day is officially conflated with [[Thanksgiving]] on 23 November, as [[Labor Thanksgiving Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.axiommagazine.jp/2011/11/22/labor-thanksgiving-day-%E5%8B%A4%E5%8A%B4%E6%84%9F%E8%AC%9D%E3%81%AE%E6%97%A5/|title=Labor Thanksgiving Day – 勤労感謝の日|last=Miller|first=Adam|date=22 November 2011|work=Axiom Magazine|access-date=22 November 2011|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529122025/http://www.axiommagazine.jp/2011/11/22/labor-thanksgiving-day-%E5%8B%A4%E5%8A%B4%E6%84%9F%E8%AC%9D%E3%81%AE%E6%97%A5/|url-status=live}}</ref>
A [[Public holidays in Japan|public holiday in Japan]], Labour Day is officially conflated with [[Thanksgiving]] on 23 November, as [[Labor Thanksgiving Day]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.axiommagazine.jp/2011/11/22/labor-thanksgiving-day-%E5%8B%A4%E5%8A%B4%E6%84%9F%E8%AC%9D%E3%81%AE%E6%97%A5/ |title=Labor Thanksgiving Day – 勤労感謝の日 |last=Miller |first=Adam |date=22 November 2011 |work=Axiom Magazine |access-date=22 November 2011 |archive-date=29 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529122025/http://www.axiommagazine.jp/2011/11/22/labor-thanksgiving-day-%E5%8B%A4%E5%8A%B4%E6%84%9F%E8%AC%9D%E3%81%AE%E6%97%A5/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Kazakhstan ===
=== Kazakhstan ===
Labour Day in [[Kazakhstan]] is celebrated on the last Sunday in September. The holiday was officially established in late 2013. In 1995, the government of Kazakhstan replaced International Workers' Day with Kazakhstan People's Unity Day. Kazakh President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] also instituted a special medal that is awarded to veterans of labour on the occasion of the holiday. Labour Day it is widely celebrated across the country with official speeches, award ceremonies, cultural events, etc. It is a non-working holiday for most citizens of Kazakhstan because it always falls on a weekend.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://anydayguide.com/calendar/218|title=Labor Day in Kazakhstan / September 24, 2017|work=AnydayGuide|access-date=2017-09-24|language=en-GB|archive-date=25 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925083259/https://anydayguide.com/calendar/218|url-status=live}}</ref>
Labour Day, a [[Public holidays in Kazakhstan|public holiday in Kazakhstan]], is celebrated on the last Sunday in September. The holiday was officially established in late 2013. In 1995, the government of [[Kazakhstan]] replaced [[International Workers' Day]] with [[Kazakhstan People's Unity Day]]. Kazakh president [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] also instituted a special medal that is awarded to veterans of labour on the occasion of the holiday. Labour Day it is widely celebrated across the country with official speeches, award ceremonies, cultural events, etc. It is a non-working holiday for most citizens of Kazakhstan because it always falls on a weekend.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://anydayguide.com/calendar/218 |title=Labor Day in Kazakhstan / September 24, 2017 |work=AnydayGuide |access-date=24 September 2017 |archive-date=25 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925083259/https://anydayguide.com/calendar/218 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Kenya ===
A [[Public holidays in Kenya|public holiday in Kenya]], Labour Day is commemorated yearly every 1 May. This celebration is usually marked with song and dance as [[Kenya]]ns gather at designated locations to celebrate and listen to speeches from the leadership of the country. [[Francis Atwoli]], Secretary General of the [[Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya)|Central Organization of Trade Unions]] (COTU) has been vocal in spearheading the celebrations in the country while advocating for favourable working conditions for the Kenyan people.


===Macau S.A.R.===
===Macau S.A.R.===
In [[Macau]], 1 May is a public holiday and is officially known as Dia do Trabalhador (Portuguese for "Workers' Day").<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 |url=https://www.gov.mo/pt/public-holidays/year-2023/ |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=Portal do Governo da RAE de Macau |language=pt-PT |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501123231/https://www.gov.mo/pt/public-holidays/year-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In [[Macau]], 1 May is [[Public holidays in Macau|a public holiday]] and is officially known as {{lang|pt|Dia do Trabalhador}} ([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] for 'Workers' Day').<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 |url=https://www.gov.mo/pt/public-holidays/year-2023/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=Portal do Governo da RAE de Macau |language=pt-PT |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501123231/https://www.gov.mo/pt/public-holidays/year-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Malaysia===
On 1 May, people in [[Malaysia]] take the time to remember the economic and social accomplishments of the labour movement.

Also known as May Day, [[Public holidays in Malaysia|this public holiday]] is sometimes celebrated with groups organising parades, rallies or both, to promote and protect workers' rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hector |first=Charles |date=December 2017 |title=The Labor Movement in Malaysia |url=https://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/focus/section3/2017/12/the-labor-movement-in-malaysia.html |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=hurights.or.jp |publisher=Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center}}</ref>


===New Zealand===
===New Zealand===
In [[New Zealand]], Labour Day ({{Lang-mi|Te Ra o Reipa}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mi.traasgpu.com/kohea-te-ra-o-reipa-whakaritea-mo-te-2018-2024/|title=Kohea te ra o Reipa? &#124; Rangi Reipa Raa 2018 - 2024|website=mi.traasgpu.com|access-date=24 October 2022|archive-date=24 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024181644/https://mi.traasgpu.com/kohea-te-ra-o-reipa-whakaritea-mo-te-2018-2024/|url-status=live}}</ref> is a public holiday held on the fourth Monday in October.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=First Labour Day celebrations |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/first-labour-day-celebrations |website=NZHistory |access-date=6 September 2021 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906154732/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/first-labour-day-celebrations |url-status=live }}</ref> Its origins are traced back to the eight-hour working day movement that arose in the newly founded [[Wellington]] colony in 1840, primarily because of carpenter [[Samuel Parnell]]'s refusal to work more than eight hours a day. That year, Parnell reportedly told a prospective employer: "There are twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining eight for recreation".<ref name=":0" />
Labour Day ({{Langx|mi|Te Rā Whakanui i ngā Kaimahi}}) is a [[Public holidays in New Zealand|public holiday in New Zealand]] and is held on the fourth Monday in October.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=First Labour Day celebrations |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/first-labour-day-celebrations |website=NZHistory |access-date=6 September 2021 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906154732/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/first-labour-day-celebrations |url-status=live }}</ref> Its origins are traced back to the eight-hour working day movement that arose in the newly founded [[Wellington]] colony in 1840, primarily because of carpenter [[Samuel Duncan Parnell]]'s refusal to work more than eight hours a day. That year, Parnell reportedly told a prospective employer: "There are twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining eight for recreation".<ref name=":0" />


The first Labour Day in New Zealand was celebrated on October 28, 1890, which marked the first anniversary of the Maritime Council, an organization of transport and mining unions.<ref name="Labour Day NZ">{{cite web |title=Labour Day |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/labour-day |website=[[NZ History online]] |access-date=6 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917002822/https://www.nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/labour-day |url-status=live }}</ref> Several thousand trade union members and supporters attended parades in the main city centres. Government employees were given the day off to attend, and many businesses closed for at least part of the day.<ref name=":1" /> Initially, the day was variously called Labour Day or Labour Demonstration Day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Labour Day celebrates 8-hour working day – New Zealand Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/labour-day-celebrates-8-hour-working-day/|access-date=2021-10-21|website=www.parliament.nz|language=en|archive-date=21 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021115840/https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/labour-day-celebrates-8-hour-working-day/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The first Labour Day in New Zealand was celebrated on 28 October 1890, which marked the first anniversary of the Maritime Council, an organisation of transport and mining unions.<ref name="Labour Day NZ">{{cite web |title=Labour Day |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/labour-day |website=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage#History and heritage|NZ History online]] |access-date=6 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917002822/https://www.nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/labour-day |url-status=live }}</ref> Several thousand trade union members and supporters attended parades in the main city centres. Government employees were given the day off to attend, and many businesses closed for at least part of the day.<ref name=":1" /> Initially, the day was variously called Labour Day or Labour Demonstration Day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Labour Day celebrates 8-hour working day – New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/labour-day-celebrates-8-hour-working-day/ |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=www.parliament.nz |archive-date=21 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021115840/https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/labour-day-celebrates-8-hour-working-day/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


In 1899, the government legislated that the day be a public holiday through the Labour Day Act of 1899. The day was set as the second Wednesday in October and first celebrated the following year, in 1900. In 1910 the holiday was moved to the fourth Monday in October.<ref name="Labour Day NZ" />
In 1899, the government legislated that the day be a public holiday through the Labour Day Act of 1899. The day was set as the second Wednesday in October and first celebrated the following year, in 1900. In 1910, the holiday was moved to the fourth Monday in October.<ref name="Labour Day NZ" />


=== Pakistan ===
=== Pakistan ===
In [[Pakistan]], 1st May is Labour Day and it is a [[Public holidays in Pakistan|public holiday]] all over the nation. Some [[Privately held company|private companies]] still don't apply this rule and operate as usual if it is not on Saturday and Sunday.
In Pakistan, 1 May is Labour Day and is a [[Public holidays in Pakistan|public holiday]] all over the nation.


===Poland===
===Poland===
[[Poland]] celebrates Labour Day on 1st of May. Since 3rd of May is the Constitution Day, also a public holiday, they are often combined to generate the "May long weekend".
Poland celebrates Labour Day on 1 May. Since 3 May is the [[3 May Constitution Day|Constitution Day]] (and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] holiday - [[The Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland]]), also [[Public holidays in Poland|a public holiday]], they are often combined to generate the "May long weekend" because 2 May is [[Polish National Flag Day]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://poland.pl/experience-poland/traditions-and-holidays/labour-day/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=poland.pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://poland.pl/experience-poland/traditions-and-holidays/day-flag-republic-poland/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=poland.pl}}</ref>

===Philippines===
[[File:Labor Day May 1 2019 Protest Manila 3.jpg|thumb|A Labor Day protest in [[Manila]] in 2019]]
In the [[Philippines]], Labor Day is a [[Public holidays in the Philippines|public holiday]] commemorated nationwide on 1 May. Initially observed in 1903 through a protest by the [[Unión Obrera Democrática Filipina]] in [[Manila]] during the [[History of the Philippines (1898–1946)|American colonial era]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/edsa/the-ph-protest-appendix/ |title=APPENDIX: A History of the Philippine Political Protest |publisher=[[Official Gazette (Philippines)|Official Gazette]] |access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref> it was officially recognised as a holiday in 1908, with the first official commemoration taking place in 1913.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1112299/did-you-know-ph-first-observed-labor-day-in-1903 |title=DID YOU KNOW: PH first observed Labor Day in 1903 |publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=1 May 2019 |access-date=1 May 2024 |first=Marielle |last=Medina}}</ref>

===Switzerland===
In Switzerland, Labour Day on 1 May is not [[Public holidays in Switzerland|a federal holiday]] across the entire country, but several of the [[Cantons of Switzerland|Swiss cantons]] have made it one of their cantonal holidays.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kantonalrechtliche Feiertage |language=de,fr,it |url=https://www.bj.admin.ch/dam/bj/de/data/publiservice/service/zivilprozessrecht/kant-feiertage.pdf}}</ref> In the [[Canton of Fribourg]], it is traditional for children to go singing at people's doors in exchange for sweets and money.<ref>{{cite web |title=Historique du 1er mai |language=fr |url=https://res.friportail.ch/chantonsmai/fr/historique-du-1er-mai}}</ref>


===Taiwan===
===Taiwan===
1 May is known as Labour Day in Taiwan, an official holiday, though not everybody gets a day off. Students and teachers do not have this day off.<ref>{{cite web |title=台灣國定假日與節日 – 2019年年曆 |url=https://holidays-calendar.net/calendar_zh_tw/taiwan_zh_tw.html |website=holidays-calendar.net |language=zh |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501163806/https://holidays-calendar.net/calendar_zh_tw/taiwan_zh_tw.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Labour Day, observed 1 May, in [[Taiwan]], is an [[Public holidays in Taiwan|official holiday]], though not everybody gets a day off. [[Civil service|Public servants]], teachers and students do not have this day off.<ref>{{cite web |title=台灣國定假日與節日 – 2019年年曆 |url=https://holidays-calendar.net/calendar_zh_tw/taiwan_zh_tw.html |website=holidays-calendar.net |language=zh |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501163806/https://holidays-calendar.net/calendar_zh_tw/taiwan_zh_tw.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Tajikistan===
Labour Day was celebrated on 1 May in the [[Soviet Union]], and the tradition lives on in [[Tajikistan]] as [[International Workers' Day|International Labour Day]] Although Labour Day is [[Public holidays in Tajikistan|a working day]], folk festivals, performances and fairs organised throughout the country create a holiday atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.advantour.com/tajikistan/holidays.htm#:~:text=Festive%20performances%20and%20concerts%20are,9%20is%20a%20sacred%20date |title=Public Holidays in Tajikistan in 2024-2025 }}</ref>


===Trinidad and Tobago===
===Trinidad and Tobago===
In [[Trinidad and Tobago]], Labour Day is celebrated every 19 June. This holiday was proposed in 1973<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://library2.nalis.gov.tt/Default.aspx?tabid=268|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807210105/http://library2.nalis.gov.tt/Default.aspx?tabid=268|url-status=dead|title=Trinidad and Tobago Labour Day|archivedate=7 August 2008}}</ref> to be commemorated on the anniversary of the 1937 [[Tubal Uriah Butler|Butler]] [[Labour riots of 1937|labour riots]].
In [[Trinidad and Tobago]], Labour Day is celebrated every 19 June. This [[Public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago|public holiday]] was proposed in 1973<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://library2.nalis.gov.tt/Default.aspx?tabid=268 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807210105/http://library2.nalis.gov.tt/Default.aspx?tabid=268 |title=Trinidad and Tobago Labour Day |archive-date=7 August 2008}}</ref> to be commemorated on the anniversary of the labour riots led by [[Tubal Uriah Butler]] in 1937, part of the [[British West Indian labour unrest of 1934–1939]].

=== Turkey ===
In [[Turkey]], 1 May ({{Langx|tr|Emek ve Dayanışma Günü}}) is [[Public holidays in Turkey|an official holiday]] known as Labour and Solidarity Day. However, the state prohibits some demonstrations made by [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]] protesters, particularly those in [[Taksim Square|Taksim]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=1 Mayıs Tedbirleri Basın Açıklaması (2024-31) |trans-title=May 1 Measures Press Release (2024-31) |url=http://www.istanbul.gov.tr/1-mayis-tedbirleri-basin-aciklamasi |url-status= |archive-date= |access-date=30 April 2024 |website=[[Governor of Istanbul]] |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2024 |title=1 Mayıs'ın Taksim'de kutlanması tartışmaları sürüyor: Meydan neden önemli? |url=https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/cgrjmz35j7mo |access-date=30 April 2024 |website=[[BBC World Service|BBC News Türkçe]] |language=tr}}</ref> which carries historical significance due to the [[Taksim Square massacre|Taksim Square Massacre]] on 1 May 1977.


===United States===
===United States===
[[File:First United States Labor Day Parade, September 5, 1882 in New York City.jpg|thumb|First US Labor Day Parade, 5 September 1882 in [[New York City]]]]
[[File:First United States Labor Day Parade, September 5, 1882 in New York City.jpg|thumb|First US Labor Day Parade, 5 September 1882 in [[New York City]]]]
{{Main|Labor Day}}
{{Main|Labor Day}}
In the United States, Labor Day is a [[federal holiday]] observed on the first Monday of September. It is customarily viewed as the end of the [[summer]] vacation season.<ref>Johnson, Yelena. [http://www.celebrations.com/article/Labor-Day-End-of-Summer-White-Party Labor Day End of Summer White Party] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018022008/http://www.celebrations.com/article/Labor-Day-End-of-Summer-White-Party |date=18 October 2009 }}, Celebrations.com. Retrieved 5 October 2009.</ref> Many schools open for the year on the day after Labor Day.<ref>Helderman, Rosalind S. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/05/AR2009090502666.html Issues That Matter to You: School Start After Labor Day] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906183328/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/05/AR2009090502666.html |date=6 September 2017 }}"; ''The Washington Post'', 6 September 2009.</ref>
In the United States, [[Labor Day]] is a [[Federal holidays in the United States|federal holiday]] and [[Public holidays in the United States|public holiday]] observed on the first Monday of September. It is customarily viewed as the end of the summer vacation season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Yelena. |url=http://www.celebrations.com/article/Labor-Day-End-of-Summer-White-Party |title=Labor Day End of Summer White Party |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018022008/http://www.celebrations.com/article/Labor-Day-End-of-Summer-White-Party |archive-date=18 October 2009 |website=Celebrations.com |access-date=5 October 2009}}</ref> Many schools open for the year on the day after Labor Day.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Helderman |first1=Rosalind S. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/05/AR2009090502666.html |title=Issues That Matter to You: School Start After Labor Day |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906183328/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/05/AR2009090502666.html |archive-date=6 September 2017 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=6 September 2009}}</ref> [https://archives.nupge.ca/content/celebrating-labour-day-holiday-canada-gave-world The origins of Labor Day] can be traced back to 1872.

==See also==
* [[Workers' Memorial Day]]
* [[National Day of Mourning (Canadian observance)]]
* [[May Day]]


==References==
==References==
Line 85: Line 125:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Commons category}}
*[https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma99183587719602061 ToadShow Labour Day photographs], [[State Library of Queensland]]. Collection of photographs showing Labour Day events in Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Barcaldine between 1998 and 2012.
*[https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma99183587719602061 ToadShow Labour Day photographs], [[State Library of Queensland]]. Collection of photographs showing Labour Day events in Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Barcaldine between 1998 and 2012.


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{{Public holidays in the Philippines}}
{{Public holidays in the Philippines}}
{{Public holidays in Singapore}}
{{Public holidays in Singapore}}
{{Public holidays in Spain}}
{{Public holidays in Tajikistan}}
{{Public holidays in Thailand}}
{{Public holidays in Thailand}}
{{Public holidays in Turkey}}
{{Public holidays in Turkey}}

Latest revision as of 05:33, 1 December 2024

For other uses, see Labour Day (disambiguation).

Countries and dependencies coloured by observance of International Workers' Day or a different variant of May Day or Labour Day:
  Labour Day falls or may fall on 1 May
  Another public holiday on 1 May or the first Monday in May
  No public holiday on 1 May, but Labour Day on a different date
  No public holiday on 1 May and no Labour Day

Labour Day is an annual day of celebration of the achievements of workers. It has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

For most countries, Labour Day is synonymous with, or linked with, International Workers' Day, which occurs on 1 May. For other countries, Labour Day is celebrated on a different date, often one with special significance for the labour movement in that country. Labour Day is a public holiday in many countries.

International Workers' Day

[edit]
Main article: International Workers' Day

For most countries, "Labour Day" is synonymous with, or linked with, International Workers' Day, which occurs on 1 May. Some countries vary the actual date of their celebrations so that the holiday occurs on a Monday close to 1 May.

Some countries have a holiday at or around this date, but it is not a 'Labour Day' celebration.

Other dates

[edit]

Australia

[edit]
A May Day parade in Brisbane in 2017

Labour Day is a public holiday in Australia on dates which vary between states and territories. In some states the date commemorates the Eight Hours Day march (see below). It is the first Monday in October in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and South Australia. In Victoria and Tasmania, it is the second Monday in March (though the latter calls it the Eight Hours Day).[1][2] In Western Australia, Labour Day is the first Monday in March.[3] In Queensland and the Northern Territory, Labour Day occurs on the first Monday in May (though the latter calls it May Day).[4] It is on the fourth Monday of March in the territory of Christmas Island.

Victoria

[edit]

The first march for an eight-hour day by the labour movement occurred in Melbourne on 21 April 1856.[5] On this day, stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne stopped work and marched from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House to achieve an eight-hour day. Their direct action protest was a success, and they are noted as being among the first organised workers in the world to achieve an eight-hour day, with no loss of pay.[6]

Queensland

[edit]

Labour Day was first celebrated with a public holiday in Queensland in 1865 as Eight Hours Celebration Day. It occurred on 1 March (Saint David's Day) and celebrated the winning of an eight-hour work day by Brisbane workers in 1858. The date was moved to May Day around 1896, in solidarity with the attack on United States workers on the first May Day parade in the Haymarket affair. In 1901, the holiday was moved to the first Monday in May, to ensure a long weekend.[7]

Bangladesh

[edit]

Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati, an organisation working for the welfare of garment workers, has requested that 24 April be declared Labour Safety Day in Bangladesh, in memory of the victims of the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse.[8][9] However, Bangladesh does observe May Day on 1 May.

The Bahamas

[edit]

Labour Day is a national holiday in The Bahamas, celebrated on the first Friday in June in order to create a long weekend for workers.[10] The traditional date of Labour Day in The Bahamas, however, is 7 June, in commemoration of a significant workers' strike that began on that day in 1942. Labour Day is meant to honour and celebrate workers and the importance of their contributions to the nation and society. In the capital city, Nassau, thousands of people come to watch a parade through the streets, which begins at mid-morning. Bands in colourful uniforms, traditional African Junkanoo performers, and members of various labour unions and political parties are all part of the procession, which ends up at the Southern Recreation Grounds, where government officials make speeches for the occasion. For many residents and visitors to The Bahamas, the afternoon of Labour Day is a time to relax at home or perhaps visit the beach.[citation needed]

Canada

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Main article: Labour Day (Canada)
A Labour Day parade in Toronto, Ontario in the early 1900s

Labour Day (French: Fête du Travail) has been marked as a statutory public holiday in Canada on the first Monday in September since 1894. Its origins can be traced back to numerous local demonstrations and celebrations in earlier decades.[11] Such events assumed political significance when a labour demonstration in Toronto in April 1872, in support of striking printers, led directly to the enactment of the Trade Union Act, a law that confirmed the legality of unions.[citation needed] On 22 July 1882, a labour celebration in Toronto attracted the attention of American labour leader Peter J. McGuire, who organised a similar parade in New York City on 5 September that year. Labour parades were held in several Canadian cities that day as well.

Unions associated with the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor in both Canada and the United States subsequently promoted parades and festivals on the first Monday in September. In Canada, local celebrations took place in Hamilton, Oshawa, Montreal, St. Catharines, Halifax, Ottawa, Vancouver and London during these years. Montreal declared a civic holiday in 1889. In Nova Scotia, coal miners had been holding picnics and parades since 1880 to celebrate the anniversary of their union, the Provincial Workmen's Association, first organised in 1879.

In addition, in 1889, the Royal Commission on the Relations of Labour and Capital in Canada, chaired by James Sherrard Armstrong (1886–88) and Augustus Toplady Freed (1888–89), recommended recognition of an official "labour day" by the federal government.[citation needed] In March and April 1894, unions lobbied Parliament to recognise Labour Day as a public holiday.[citation needed] Legislation was introduced in May by prime minister Sir John Thompson and received royal assent in July 1894.[12]

China

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1 May is a statutory holiday in the People's Republic of China. It was a three-day holiday until 2008, but was only one day after 2008.[13] However, the actual time off is often longer than the time off in the regulations, and the extra time off is usually supplemented by another two weekends, but since the extra time is not under an official holiday, the extra days must be "made up" by working on the preceding or following weekend.[14][15] For example, in 2013, 1 May fell on Wednesday. Most workplaces, including all government offices, took 29 April (Monday) to 1 May (Wednesday) as days off. As the first two days were not statutory holidays, they had to be "made up" by working the preceding weekend (27 and 28 April).

Hong Kong S.A.R.

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Labour Day, observed 1 May, has been considered a public holiday in Hong Kong since 1999.[16]

India

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The first Labour Day was celebrated in India on 1 May 1923, in Chennai (then known as Madras), organised by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.[17]

Jamaica

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Before 1961, 24 May was celebrated in Jamaica as Empire Day in honour of the birthday of Queen Victoria and her emancipation of slaves in Jamaica and the West Indies.[18] As its name suggests, the day was used to celebrate the British Empire, complete with flag-raising ceremonies and the singing of patriotic songs. In 1961, Chief Minister, Norman Manley, proposed the replacement of Empire Day with Labour Day, a celebration in commemoration of 23 May 1938, when Alexander Bustamante led a labour rebellion leading to Jamaican independence.

In 1972, prime minister Michael Manley promoted Labour Day as a showcase for the importance of labour to the development of Jamaica, and a day of voluntary community participation to beneficial projects.[18] Since then, Labour Day has been not only a public holiday in Jamaica, but also a day of mass community involvement around the country.

Japan

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A public holiday in Japan, Labour Day is officially conflated with Thanksgiving on 23 November, as Labor Thanksgiving Day.[19]

Kazakhstan

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Labour Day, a public holiday in Kazakhstan, is celebrated on the last Sunday in September. The holiday was officially established in late 2013. In 1995, the government of Kazakhstan replaced International Workers' Day with Kazakhstan People's Unity Day. Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev also instituted a special medal that is awarded to veterans of labour on the occasion of the holiday. Labour Day it is widely celebrated across the country with official speeches, award ceremonies, cultural events, etc. It is a non-working holiday for most citizens of Kazakhstan because it always falls on a weekend.[20]

Kenya

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A public holiday in Kenya, Labour Day is commemorated yearly every 1 May. This celebration is usually marked with song and dance as Kenyans gather at designated locations to celebrate and listen to speeches from the leadership of the country. Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) has been vocal in spearheading the celebrations in the country while advocating for favourable working conditions for the Kenyan people.

Macau S.A.R.

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In Macau, 1 May is a public holiday and is officially known as Dia do Trabalhador (Portuguese for 'Workers' Day').[21]

Malaysia

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On 1 May, people in Malaysia take the time to remember the economic and social accomplishments of the labour movement.

Also known as May Day, this public holiday is sometimes celebrated with groups organising parades, rallies or both, to promote and protect workers' rights.[22]

New Zealand

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Labour Day (Māori: Te Rā Whakanui i ngā Kaimahi) is a public holiday in New Zealand and is held on the fourth Monday in October.[23] Its origins are traced back to the eight-hour working day movement that arose in the newly founded Wellington colony in 1840, primarily because of carpenter Samuel Duncan Parnell's refusal to work more than eight hours a day. That year, Parnell reportedly told a prospective employer: "There are twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining eight for recreation".[24]

The first Labour Day in New Zealand was celebrated on 28 October 1890, which marked the first anniversary of the Maritime Council, an organisation of transport and mining unions.[25] Several thousand trade union members and supporters attended parades in the main city centres. Government employees were given the day off to attend, and many businesses closed for at least part of the day.[23] Initially, the day was variously called Labour Day or Labour Demonstration Day.[24]

In 1899, the government legislated that the day be a public holiday through the Labour Day Act of 1899. The day was set as the second Wednesday in October and first celebrated the following year, in 1900. In 1910, the holiday was moved to the fourth Monday in October.[25]

Pakistan

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In Pakistan, 1 May is Labour Day and is a public holiday all over the nation.

Poland

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Poland celebrates Labour Day on 1 May. Since 3 May is the Constitution Day (and Catholic holiday - The Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland), also a public holiday, they are often combined to generate the "May long weekend" because 2 May is Polish National Flag Day.[26][27]

Philippines

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A Labor Day protest in Manila in 2019

In the Philippines, Labor Day is a public holiday commemorated nationwide on 1 May. Initially observed in 1903 through a protest by the Unión Obrera Democrática Filipina in Manila during the American colonial era,[28] it was officially recognised as a holiday in 1908, with the first official commemoration taking place in 1913.[29]

Switzerland

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In Switzerland, Labour Day on 1 May is not a federal holiday across the entire country, but several of the Swiss cantons have made it one of their cantonal holidays.[30] In the Canton of Fribourg, it is traditional for children to go singing at people's doors in exchange for sweets and money.[31]

Taiwan

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Labour Day, observed 1 May, in Taiwan, is an official holiday, though not everybody gets a day off. Public servants, teachers and students do not have this day off.[32]

Tajikistan

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Labour Day was celebrated on 1 May in the Soviet Union, and the tradition lives on in Tajikistan as International Labour Day Although Labour Day is a working day, folk festivals, performances and fairs organised throughout the country create a holiday atmosphere.[33]

Trinidad and Tobago

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In Trinidad and Tobago, Labour Day is celebrated every 19 June. This public holiday was proposed in 1973[34] to be commemorated on the anniversary of the labour riots led by Tubal Uriah Butler in 1937, part of the British West Indian labour unrest of 1934–1939.

Turkey

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In Turkey, 1 May (Turkish: Emek ve Dayanışma Günü) is an official holiday known as Labour and Solidarity Day. However, the state prohibits some demonstrations made by left-wing protesters, particularly those in Taksim,[35][36] which carries historical significance due to the Taksim Square Massacre on 1 May 1977.

United States

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First US Labor Day Parade, 5 September 1882 in New York City
Main article: Labor Day

In the United States, Labor Day is a federal holiday and public holiday observed on the first Monday of September. It is customarily viewed as the end of the summer vacation season.[37] Many schools open for the year on the day after Labor Day.[38] The origins of Labor Day can be traced back to 1872.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Public Holidays Act 1993" (PDF). vic.gov.au. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Tasmanian Legislation Online: Statutory Holidays Act 2000". tas.gov.au. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972" (PDF). wa.gov.au. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Australian Government: National Public Holidays". australia.gov.au. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  5. ^ "Australian Public Holidays: Labour Day". alldownunder.com. 1998. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  6. ^ Lewis, Wendy; Balderstone, Simon; Bowman, John (2006). Events that Shaped Australia. New Holland Publishers. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-74110-492-9. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  7. ^ Radical Brisbane (2004), ISBN 0958079455, pp 231–4.
  8. ^ "Thousands mourn collapse victims of Rana Plaza garment factory one year on". Deutsche Welle. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  9. ^ "Bangladesh Official Public Holidays". Official Public Holidays. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  10. ^ "Holidays in The Bahamas in 2015". timeanddate.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  11. ^ Gagnon, Marc-André. "Labour Day in Canada". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  12. ^ Heron, Craig; Penfold, Steve (2005). The Workers' Festival: A History of Labour Day in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. pp. 31–38. ISBN 0-8020-4886-2.
  13. ^ "China scraps one of three Golden Week holidays". Reuters. 16 December 2007. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  14. ^ "调与休：黄金周长假的变迁" [Reconcile and rest: the change of Golden Week vacation]. People's Daily (in Chinese). Xinhua News Agency. 27 November 2013. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  15. ^ ""五一"假期延长至5天 解读黄金周背后的假如" ["May Day" holiday extended to 5 days: Explaining the assumptions behind the Golden Week]. Xinhuanet (in Chinese). Chengdu Business News. 28 November 2019. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  16. ^ "新闻背景：香港回归15年大事记" [News Background: Events in the 15 years since Hong Kong's return to China] (in Chinese). China News Service. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  17. ^ "What is the significance of Labour Day or May Day? | Explained". thehindu.com. The Hindu. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  18. ^ a b "History of Labour Day". National Labour Day 2008. Jamaica Information Service. Archived from the original on 10 September 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  19. ^ Miller, Adam (22 November 2011). "Labor Thanksgiving Day – 勤労感謝の日". Axiom Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  20. ^ "Labor Day in Kazakhstan / September 24, 2017". AnydayGuide. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  21. ^ "2023". Portal do Governo da RAE de Macau (in European Portuguese). Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  22. ^ Hector, Charles (December 2017). "The Labor Movement in Malaysia". hurights.or.jp. Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  23. ^ a b "First Labour Day celebrations". NZHistory. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  24. ^ a b "Labour Day celebrates 8-hour working day – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Labour Day". NZ History online. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  26. ^ poland.pl https://poland.pl/experience-poland/traditions-and-holidays/labour-day/. Retrieved 25 November 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ^ poland.pl https://poland.pl/experience-poland/traditions-and-holidays/day-flag-republic-poland/. Retrieved 25 November 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ^ "APPENDIX: A History of the Philippine Political Protest". Official Gazette. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  29. ^ Medina, Marielle (1 May 2019). "DID YOU KNOW: PH first observed Labor Day in 1903". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Kantonalrechtliche Feiertage" (PDF) (in German, French, and Italian).
  31. ^ "Historique du 1er mai" (in French).
  32. ^ "台灣國定假日與節日 – 2019年年曆". holidays-calendar.net (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  33. ^ "Public Holidays in Tajikistan in 2024-2025".
  34. ^ "Trinidad and Tobago Labour Day". Archived from the original on 7 August 2008.
  35. ^ "1 Mayıs Tedbirleri Basın Açıklaması (2024-31)" [May 1 Measures Press Release (2024-31)]. Governor of Istanbul (in Turkish). Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  36. ^ "1 Mayıs'ın Taksim'de kutlanması tartışmaları sürüyor: Meydan neden önemli?". BBC News Türkçe (in Turkish). 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  37. ^ Johnson, Yelena. "Labor Day End of Summer White Party". Celebrations.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  38. ^ Helderman, Rosalind S. "Issues That Matter to You: School Start After Labor Day". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
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