International Labour Day 2025: Date, Theme, and Countries with No Holiday

International Labor Day (also known as Mayday), is celebrated every year on May 1st. Celebrate this day in honor of hard-working and dedicated people around the world. International Labor Day, the day of international workers, grows into a powerful symbol of solidarity, social justice and the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights. Let’s take a look at its date, the expected themes, and the fascinating changes in the global compliance with the International Labor Day 2025 observations.

When will International Labor Day be 2025?

International Labor Day 2025 will be Thursday, May 1. Since 1889, the Second International announced that it would celebrate the Haymarket event in Chicago and promote an eight-hour working day to celebrate the Haymarket event, a date that means a lot. Since then, it has become an international event, celebrated with gatherings, parades, speeches and cultural events.

International Labor Day Theme 2025

Every year, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and other national organizations announce a theme that shows urgent issues in the global workplace. Although the official theme for 2025 has not been announced yet, previous themes include:

  • Social justice and decent work
  • Workers’ safety and health
  • The future of digitalization and work
  • Gender equality at work

Stay tuned: The theme of 2025 will be announced in a few days and is likely to be related to pressing issues facing the world today, such as climate action, technological change or recovery from the pandemic.

How does Labor Day celebrate around the world?

May 1 is a country for public holidays

The first of more than 80 countries including India, France, Germany, Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa is a national holiday. Traditionally different, but they share the following common characteristics:

  • Rally and Parades: Workers and unions march to the city center to express their demands and celebrate success.
  • Cultural Activities: Music, dance and theatre performances showcase the history and spirit of the labor movement.
  • Political Speech: Leaders talk about workers’ rights, economic policies and social justice matters.

May 1 is not a country for public holidays

Surprisingly, some major economies do not observe Labor Day at all. Here are some notable examples:

nation

When observing Labor Day

Public holiday on January 1?

notes

USA

The first Monday of September

No

Labor Day is rooted in American history, but not a holiday. The September date was chosen to avoid the Socialist Association.

Canada

The first Monday of September

No

Follow our traditions; Labor Day is not widely recognized.

Australia

Change with status (not May 1)

No

Labor Day is celebrated on different dates in different states.

New Zealand

The fourth Monday of October

No

Labor Day marks the eight-hour working day struggle.

U.K.

The first Monday of May

No

The early May holiday is called; not always on May 1st.

Ireland

The first Monday of May

No

Called the May bank holiday; dates vary.

Netherlands

Not formally observed

No

May 1 is a normal working day.

Why is there a difference?

The reasons for these differences are historical and political. For example:

  • United States and Canada: After the hay market incident, authorities disengaged themselves from the meaning of socialism and anarchist in Mayday and chose the September date.
  • Australia and New Zealand: Milestones in the Labor Movement during Labor Day, celebrated with dates important to each region.
  • UK and Ireland: May Bank Holiday is a spring celebration and has nothing to do with labour rights.

Although the official theme has not been announced, International Labor Day 2025 will be observed on May 1. Although most parts of the world mark public holidays, countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands do not. However, the spirit of labor day degradation, justice and progress in the realm of states crosses boundaries and calendars, reminding us of all the value of work and the power of collective action.