What Did You Know About it Beside It’s a Holiday?
Labour Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated 8 hours for work, 8 hours for recreation, and 8 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.
Labour Day in Malaysia
The Labour Day celebration in this country began when our 2nd Deputy Prime Minister, Allahyarham Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman announced 1 May as a public holiday for workers in early 1970s.
On 20 May 1972,Tun Dr. Ismail made the announcement while he was officiating the Labour Bureau Trade Union Seminar and the UMNO Trade Union at Dewan Belia, Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur. The decision was made by him with the hope that the labour movement would perceive 1st May as a day dedicated to workers which befit the national aspirations.
This announcement was regarded as important because it not only recognises the contribution of workers, but indirectly shows that Malaysia is in agreement with the decisions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention which approved 1st May as Labour Day.
