Every year on May 1st, the world comes together to celebrate International Workers' Day, also known as May Day or Labour Day. This day serves as a global recognition of the immense contributions of workers across all industries and professions who keep the wheels of society turning.
From the doctors and nurses who safeguard our health to the teachers who educate our future generations, from the farmers who cultivate our food to the factory workers who produce the goods we rely on, the working class forms the backbone of every nation. Their tireless efforts drive economic growth, fuel innovation, and ensure the smooth functioning of society's intricate machinery.
International Workers' Day serves as a platform to recognise these invaluable contributions and acknowledge the sacrifices made by the working class. It's a day to celebrate their achievements, highlight their struggles, and advocate for their well-being. It's a call to action to ensure that workers receive fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to essential benefits like healthcare and social security.
International Workers Day 2024: History
International Workers' Day has its roots in the late 19th-century labour movements. The Haymarket Affair of 1886 in Chicago, where workers demanded fair working conditions and an eight-hour workday, stands as a significant turning point. This event, though tragic, ignited a global movement for workers' rights and fair labour practices, paving the way for the annual celebration of International Workers' Day.
International Workers Day 2024: Significance
International Workers' Day is more than just a public holiday. It serves as a crucial reminder of the following:
- Honouring Workers: This day recognises the tireless efforts and dedication of workers worldwide, regardless of their profession or social standing. It celebrates their vital role in building and maintaining economies, communities, and the very fabric of society.
- Highlighting Worker's Rights: International Workers' Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about worker's rights, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection from exploitation. It emphasises the need for continuous improvement in labour standards and regulations.
- Promoting Social Justice: This day underscores the importance of social justice and ensuring equitable opportunities for all workers. It advocates for the elimination of discrimination and the creation of a fair and just working environment.
List of Countries that Celebrate Labor Day on 1st May
A vast majority of countries across the globe come together to celebrate International Workers' Day on May 1st. This day holds immense significance, and here is the list of countries that celebrate Labor Day on 1st May:
| Country | Name |
| Afghanistan | International Workers' Day |
| Albania | International Workers' Day |
| Algeria | International Workers' Day |
| Andorra | International Workers' Day |
| Angola | International Workers' Day |
| Anguilla | International Workers' Day |
| Argentina | International Workers' Day |
| Armenia | International Workers' Day |
| Aruba | International Workers' Day |
| Austria | International Workers' Day |
| Bahrain | International Workers' Day |
| Bangladesh | International Workers' Day |
| Barbados | International Workers' Day |
| Belarus | International Workers' Day |
| Belgium | International Workers' Day |
| Benin | International Workers' Day |
| Bolivia | International Workers' Day |
| Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba | International Workers' Day |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | International Workers' Day |
| Botswana | International Workers' Day |
| Brazil | International Workers' Day |
| Bulgaria | Labour Day and International Workers' Solidarity Day |
| Burkina Faso | International Workers' Day |
| Burundi | International Workers' Day |
| Cambodia | International Workers' Day |
| Cameroon | International Workers' Day |
| Cape Verde | International Workers' Day |
| Central African Republic | International Workers' Day |
| Chad | International Workers' Day |
| Chile | International Workers' Day |
| China | International Workers' Day |
| Colombia | International Workers' Day |
| Comoros | International Workers' Day |
| Congo | International Workers' Day |
| Costa Rica | Mandatory Paid Vacation |
| Croatia | International Workers' Day |
| Cuba | International Workers' Day |
| Curaçao | International Workers' Day |
| Cyprus | International Workers' Day |
| Czech Republic | International Workers' Day |
| DR Congo | International Workers' Day |
| Denmark | A Holiday for the certain sectors of the workforce |
| Djibouti | International Workers' Day |
| Dominican Republic | International Workers' Day |
| East Timor | International Workers' Day |
| Egypt | International Workers' Day |
| El Salvador | International Workers' Day |
| Equatorial Guinea | International Workers' Day |
| Eritrea | International Workers' Day |
| Estonia | International Workers' Day |
| Eswatini | International Workers' Day |
| Ethiopia | International Workers' Day |
| France | International Workers' Day |
| French Guiana | International Workers' Day |
| French Polynesia | International Workers' Day |
| Gabon | International Workers' Day |
| Gambia | International Workers' Day |
| Germany | International Workers' Day |
| Ghana | International Workers' Day |
| Gibraltar | International Workers' Day |
| Grenada | International Workers' Day |
| Guadeloupe | International Workers' Day |
| Guatemala | International Workers' Day |
| Guinea | International Workers' Day |
| Guinea-Bissau | International Workers' Day |
| Guyana | International Workers' Day |
| Haiti | International Workers' Day |
| Honduras | International Workers' Day |
| Hong Kong | |
| Hungary | Anniversary of the accession to the EU |
| Iceland | Flag Day |
| India | Many States |
| Indonesia | World Labour Day |
| Iraq | International Workers' Day |
| Italy | International Workers' Day |
| Ivory Coast | International Workers' Day |
| Jordan | National Holiday |
| Kenya | International Workers' Day |
| Kosovo | International Workers' Day |
| Kyrgyzstan | International Workers' Day |
| Lao | |
| Latvia | International Workers' Day |
| Lebanon | International Workers' Day |
| Lesotho | International Workers' Day |
| Libya | International Workers' Day |
| Liechtenstein | International Workers' Day |
| Lithuania | International Workers' Day |
| Luxembourg | International Workers' Day |
| Macau | International Workers' Day |
| Madagascar | International Workers' Day |
| Malawi | International Workers' Day |
| Malaysia | International Workers' Day |
| Maldives | International Workers' Day |
| Mali | International Workers' Day |
| Malta | International Workers' Day |
| Martinique | International Workers' Day |
| Mauritania | International Workers' Day |
| Mauritius | International Workers' Day |
| Mexico | May Day |
| Moldova | International Workers' Day |
| Monaco | International Workers' Day |
| Montenegro | International Workers' Day |
| Morocco | International Workers' Day |
| Mozambique | International Workers' Day |
| Myanmar | May Day |
| Namibia | International Workers' Day |
| New Caledonia | International Workers' Day |
| Nicaragua | International Workers' Day |
| Niger | International Workers' Day |
| Nigeria | International Workers' Day |
| North Korea | International Workers' Day |
| North Macedonia | International Workers' Day |
| Norway | International Workers' Day |
| Pakistan | International Workers' Day |
| Palestine | International Workers' Day |
| Panama | International Workers' Day |
| Paraguay | International Workers' Day |
| Peru | International Workers' Day |
| Philippines | Regular Holiday |
| Poland | International Workers' Day |
| Portugal | May Day |
| Romania | International Workers' Day |
| Russia | International Workers' Day |
| Rwanda | International Workers' Day |
| Saint Lucia | International Workers' Day |
| Saint Martin | International Workers' Day |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | |
| San Marino | International Workers' Day |
| Senegal | International Workers' Day |
| Serbia | International Workers' Day |
| Seychelles | International Workers' Day |
| Sierra Leone | |
| Singapore | International Workers' Day |
| Sint Maarten | International Workers' Day |
| Slovakia | International Workers' Day |
| Slovenia | State Holiday |
| Somalia | International Workers' Day |
| South Africa | International Workers' Day |
| South Korea | Not an Official Holiday |
| South Sudan | International Workers' Day |
| Spain | International Workers' Day |
| Sri Lanka | International Workers' Day |
| Suriname | International Workers' Day |
| Sweden | International Workers' Day |
| Switzerland | Holiday in 11 Cantons |
| Syria | International Workers' Day |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | International Workers' Day |
| Taiwan | International Workers' Day |
| Tajikistan | International Workers' Day |
| Tanzania | International Workers' Day |
| Thailand | International Workers' Day |
| Togo | International Workers' Day |
| Tunisia | International Workers' Day |
| Turkiye | International Workers' Day |
| Uganda | International Workers' Day |
| Ukraine | May Day |
| Uruguay | International Workers' Day |
| Vanuatu | International Workers' Day |
| Vatican City | International Workers' Day |
| Venezuela | International Workers' Day |
| Vietnam | International Workers' Day |
| Wallis and Futuna | International Workers' Day |
| Yemen | International Workers' Day |
| Zambia | International Workers' Day |
| Zimbabwe | International Workers' Day |
