Labour Day in Hong Kong celebrates the achievements and rights of workers and their contribution to society. As a public holiday, it is a time for rest, family gatherings and leisure, often marked by community events and union-led activities promoting fair labor practices.

When is Labour Day?

Labour Day in Hong Kong is celebrated on May 1 every year.

The following is the list of Labour Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Labour Day?

The roots of Labour Day, also known as International Workers' Day or May Day, date back to the late 19th century when workers around the world began organizing for better working conditions and shorter work hours. The defining moment occurred in Chicago, USA, in May 1886, when labor unions launched mass strikes demanding the eight-hour workday.

The protests culminated in the Haymarket Affair, during which violence between demonstrators and police led to deaths on both sides. In 1889, the Second International declared May 1 as International Workers' Day, to commemorate those who died in the struggle for workers' rights and to promote global labor solidarity.

Under British colonial rule, Hong Kong did not initially recognize May 1 as a public holiday. In the early 20th century, Hong Kong's labor force consisted mainly of Chinese workers who often faced low wages, long hours, and poor working conditions.

Labor organizations, such as the Chinese Seamen's Union, began forming in the 1920s and occasionally organized strikes and protests to demand fair treatment. A significant labor event in Hong Kong's history was the 1922 Seamen's Strike, which brought much of the colony's shipping industry to a halt and resulted in some wage improvements. However, despite such movements, Labour Day remained an unofficial observance for decades.

After World War II, as Hong Kong's economy began to recover, labor issues became more prominent. The 1950s–1970s saw the rise of organized labor unions, many affiliated with either pro-Beijing or pro-Taipei political factions.

During this time, May Day rallies were often politically charged and symbolized the broader struggle for workers' dignity and unity across the Chinese-speaking world. Still, Labour Day did not have official recognition, and participation was largely voluntary.

In 1997, Hong Kong was handed over from Britain to China, becoming a Special Administrative Region (SAR) under the "one country, two systems" principle. Two years later, in 1999, Labour Day (May 1) was officially declared a public holiday by the Hong Kong SAR Government. The decision aligned Hong Kong with mainland China, where Labour Day has been an official holiday since 1949, following the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Today, Labour Day in Hong Kong is primarily a day of rest and leisure, but it also retains its social and symbolic significance. While Labour Day celebrations are generally low-key compared to mainland China's grand parades, the day still serves as a platform for civic dialogue on social and economic justice.