Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day, is an annual public holiday celebrated in Malta. It commemorates the achievements of the labor movement, particularly honoring the rights of workers and their contribution to the nation's economic growth. Every year on May 1, Maltese people observe this special day with a variety of ceremonies, festivities, and parades, which have lots of political undertones due to the holiday's origins.
The history of Workers' Day in Malta dates back to 1890, when labor activists throughout Europe and North America advocated for improved conditions for the working class, including an eight-hour workday. Malta, being under British rule at that time, started to draw working class solidarity. It was only after the country's independence in 1961 that Workers' Day became a national holiday and has been celebrated each year since then.
On Workers' Day, Malta is alive with activity. Public concerts, festivals, family gatherings, and political rallies take place across the island nation. This day also sees the biggest political mass meetings by both major political parties on the island — the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party. They utilize this day to meet with their supporters and highlight their plans for worker rights and social justice. This holiday is a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by workers in the past and the essential rights and privileges enjoyed by the workers of the present day.