Labour Day

Labor Day is on the first Monday of October in Australia. In some states, the holiday is observed in May (Queensland) and March (Tasmania and Victoria). It marks an important milestone in Australian history as it is the day when workers achieved shorter working hours without lowering wages. This achievement has since been adopted by other countries, including the US.

History

The origins of Labor Day can be traced back to the 1800s, when many workers only had one day off and worked up to 12 hours a day. In 1856, masons from the University of Melbourne marched to the Houses of Parliament and demanded better working conditions. As a result, their 48-hour week was established. Subsequent years saw other countries adopting the 8-hour working day. Labor Day is, therefore, a celebration of the struggle for fair working conditions, employee empowerment, and other opportunities.

Interesting facts

• The longest working day was recorded in Belgium, where a housewife fried french fries without a break for 78 hours and 1 minute.
• In the US, dentists use at least 13 tons of gold each year.
• The shortest working week is in the Netherlands, at 30.5 hours.
• Slaves in ancient Egypt were in a difficult position, but they were provided with food, clothing, and housing if they worked hard.
• The oldest worker lived in New Jersey; he came to work regularly even at 100 years old.

How to take part

If there is an event in your city, take part in the parade! It is a key part of the holiday and always draws a lot of people. Alternatively, you can gather with friends in the countryside for a picnic or celebrate in your backyard with a barbecue.

When is Labour Day in 2024?

Labour Day is observed on the first Monday in October each year.

Observations