Workers' Day, often referred to as Labour Day or International Workers' Day, is a public holiday widely celebrated in Mozambique. The day is observed annually on the 1st of May. It is a day set apart globally to honor the contribution of workers towards societal, economic, and infrastructural development. In Mozambique, the day is celebrated with various activities, including peaceful demonstrations and marches led by trade unions and workers' groups seeking to promote and secure better conditions for workers.
The origin of the Workers' Day holiday dates back to the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, USA where workers were advocating for an eight-hour workday. The concept was adopted internationally, including Mozambique which has a history of a strong workforce especially in its agricultural and mining sectors. The day provides a platform for workers to vocalize their needs and rights, present their grievances, and call for reforms in labor laws.
Despite being a day of serious contemplation and advocacy, Workers' Day in Mozambique also has an air of merriment. People often take the day off to relax with friends and family, enjoy cultural performances, sports, and other recreational activities. Public speeches and rallies are common sightings, where workers and authority figures engage in dialogues aimed at improving working conditions. It is a day that indeed strengthens the spirit of unity, solidarity, and determination among the working class in Mozambique.