Labour Day in Senegal is both a celebration of workers' contributions and a platform for labor unions to demand reforms, marked by parades, speeches, and cultural events across the country.

When is Labour Day?

Labour Day in Senegal is celebrated every year on May 1.

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

The History of Labour Day?

Labour Day, or International Workers' Day, traces its roots to the Haymarket affair in Chicago (1886), where workers demanding the eight-hour workday faced violent repression. Since then, May 1 has been recognized globally as a day to honor workers' struggles, rights, and achievements.

Under French colonial rule, Senegal developed an urban working class, especially in Dakar and Saint-Louis, due to port, railway, and administrative jobs. By the early 20th century, trade unions began forming, influenced by French labor movements.

Senegalese workers increasingly organized strikes and demonstrations to demand better wages, improved working conditions, and recognition of union rights. Labour activism was closely tied to the anti-colonial struggle, as workers often voiced not only economic but also political demands for freedom and equality.

Senegal gained independence on April 4, 1960, and Labour Day (May 1) was officially recognized as a national holiday.

The day became a platform for trade unions to present petitions and demands directly to the government.

Throughout the 1960s–1980s, May 1 demonstrations often reflected tensions between the state and organized labor, with unions advocating for fair pay, social protections, and workers' dignity.

Today, Labour Day in Senegal retains both its political and social dimensions. For many Senegalese, it is also a day of rest and family, balancing activism with leisure.