Labour Day, also known as International Workers' Day, is a significant public holiday in China. Celebrated annually on May 1st, the holiday was established to honour the labour and contributions of workers and is intended to give them time to rest. The holiday is part of the 'Golden Week', a seven-day holiday period in China designed to boost the domestic economy through increased consumption.
The Labour Day holiday in China has its roots in the labour union movement of the late 19th century, specifically tied to the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. In modern times, Labour Day serves as a time for the Chinese to rest from work, spend time with their families, travel, and shop. Amid the rapid industrialization of the country, the observance of the holiday underscores the importance of workers in Chinese society.
From 2008 to 2018, the Labour Day holiday in China was reduced to only one day off to minimize disruptions in the economy. However, in 2019, the Chinese government reinstated the three-day holiday from May 1 to May 3, following the tradition of the 'Golden Week'. This move aimed to enhance the quality of life and leisure time of its workers, and to stimulate tourism-based consumption and economic growth, reinforcing the recognition of workers as an essential part of the society.