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Labour Day
Malawi

Labour Day 2023, 2024 and 2025 in Malawi

International Labour Day, or just “Labour Day”, is an important annual observance in the African state of Malawi. On this day, there are public speeches, special events, and trade union rallies that focus attention on both progress made and progress still to be made in regard to the welfare of the nation’s workforce.

YearDateDayHoliday
20231 MayMonLabour Day
20241 MayWedLabour Day
20251 MayThuLabour Day
20261 MayFriLabour Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

There is a Labour Day march in the city of Lilongwe, the national capital, to Civo Stadium, where high government officials and other important figures give labour-focused speeches. Fighting corruption and ensuring all employers comply with national labour laws like safety standards and minimum wage are major themes.

Another major event is held by the Malawi Congress of Trade Unions. And there are smaller meetings and discussion groups as well scattered throughout the country.

The origin of this worldwide holiday is the 4 May 1886 Haymarket Massacre during a labour protest in Chicago, USA. As the world industrialised in the mid to late 1800’s, the dismal working conditions in many factories led to a protest movement.

The Haymarket Massacre became a key moment in the movement, leading to the establishment of Labour Day, then called “International Workers Day”, to demand things like an 8-hour work day, safer working conditions, and increased pay.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
20221 MaySunLabour Day
20211 MaySatLabour Day
3 MayMonLabour Day Holiday
20201 MayFriLabour Day
20191 MayWedLabour Day
20181 MayTueLabour Day
20171 MayMonLabour Day