Singapore Labour Day, also known as Labour Day in Singapore, is celebrated on 1 May each year to honor the labour movement in Singapore and recognize workers' contributions to the country's prosperity. The celebration of May Day as a public holiday began only in 1960 after the People's Action Party came into power.
May Day is an annual event celebrated to commemorate International Workers' Day, and is considered a public holiday in many countries. May Day began as a commemoration of workers who fought for better working conditions and recognition for their contributions to society. Originally held on 1 May 1886, a day of international celebration was chosen by labour leaders after being inspired by both American labour leader, Peter McGuire and German socialist philosopher, Karl Marx. In Singapore, Labour Day (or May Day) is celebrated on 1 May each year as a mark of solidarity amongst workers. The celebration of May Day as a public holiday began only in 1960 after the People's Action Party came into power. It was initially celebrated on 21 July but it was moved to 1 May when Singapore gained independence. Singapore Labour Day is a statutory holiday that falls on every first Monday of May every year. Like other statutory holidays, all offices are closed while schools and most businesses remain open. However, retail stores like supermarkets are allowed to operate with restricted hours during Singapore Labour Day. This special day also marks another important milestone in Singapore’s history – National Service (NS). As part of NS, male citizens must undergo two years of full-time military training starting at age 18 or risk prosecution under Singapore law. A few weeks before Singapore Labour Day, male citizens will receive letters from NS authorities informing them whether they have been selected for enlistment into national service or not. Those who have been selected will be notified about their Basic Military Training date which usually falls within 3 months after Singapore Labour Day.
History of Labour Day In Singapore
It was only when Lee Kuan Yew became Prime Minister of Singapore that Labour Day was celebrated with gusto. This celebration as a public holiday happened only in 1960 after his party, People's Action Party came into power. Singapore had remained one of those few countries where May Day is not celebrated as a public holiday and instead, Labour day is. It was back then that Mr Lee Kuan Yew read out two letters by him to Cabinet ministers on 5 April 1960 regarding a change from May 1st to 1st May for Labour day celebrations. The first letter dated 4th April 1960 to Dr Goh Keng Swee, who was then acting minister for labour said May Day has no relevance in Singapore. We should have our own day which should be linked up with our national identity. The second letter dated 5th April 1960 to Toh Chin Chye said the new date (1st May) should be officially proclaimed as Labour Day so that it will be a National Holiday. On 6th June 1963, Parliament passed an Act changing Labour Day from 1 May to 1st May each year. From 1963 onwards until today, Singaporeans have been celebrating their annual Labour Day every year on 1st May. The day started off in Singapore with just a morning parade at Jalan Besar Stadium. Later on, more activities were added to make it more festive. In 1966, free entertainment programmes were introduced including performances by artists such as Faye Wong and Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng, while since 2004 there has also been live telecast of these events. In 2001, a concert featuring international pop stars like Phil Collins and local artistes like Stefanie Sun was held at Fort Canning Park in order to celebrate Singapore's 30 years of independence.
Facts about Labour Day in Singapore
In Singapore, May Day (or Labour Day) is celebrated on 1 May each year as a mark of solidarity amongst workers. The celebration of May Day as a public holiday began only in 1960 after the People's Action Party came into power. Here are some interesting facts about Labour day in Singapore
1. Singapore Labour Day was first celebrated in 1891 by local unions and associations. They commemorated it with street processions and meetings.
2. During World War II, it was temporarily suspended due to food shortages and other war-related issues until 1946 when it was revived again by unions and associations to commemorate its revival once more in 1958 when they renamed it May Day. It has been held annually ever since then.
3. Labour Day is a statutory holiday that celebrates workers' rights to fair wages and good working conditions through peaceful labour movements without fear of intimidation or harassment from employers who had previously refused to negotiate with their employees or even fired them for demanding better pay or working conditions.
4. It is also a day when all Singaporeans come together to celebrate our hardworking labourers, domestic helpers, taxi drivers, cleaners, construction workers and others who work tirelessly to keep Singapore going!
5. The first May Day celebration was held on 1 May 1891 at Hong Lim Green under the auspices of Tanjong Pagar Dock Company's Employees Union. The meeting was attended by about 2,000 people including European residents.
Is there Labour Day holiday in Singapore?
Yes, Labour Day is a holiday in Singapore. For 2022, Labour Day is on May 1st and it will be a public holiday. There are many interesting facts about Singapore Labour Day which you may not know. Here are some of them:
The first celebration of May Day as a public holiday was held only in 1960 after People's Action Party came into power. It was celebrated to commemorate Singapore's independence from British rule as well as to foster solidarity amongst workers and their families. At that time, Singapore had not yet achieved full self-government but was still part of Malaysia under British colonial rule.
Is there any significance to it?
May Day has been celebrated as a labour day around the world since 1886 when it was first proclaimed by American and Canadian socialists. In 1917, over 400,000 workers went on strike across Russia on May 1 to call for an end to World War I and for basic human rights for workers. During that time it is said that up to 100 protesters were killed in clashes with police. The Soviet Union (USSR) abolished May Day celebrations after Vladimir Lenin's death in 1924 but restored them in 1941 under Joseph Stalin during World War II. Since then, May Day has been officially known as International Workers' Day or Labour Day. In China, Labour Day is called Workers' Memorial Day and is held on 23 April to commemorate those who died at work or while working for social causes. It also honours those who have contributed to society through their labour.
Why is May 1 Labor Day?
As we celebrate Labour Day on May 1st, let’s take a quick look at why that date was chosen by our founding fathers. The practice of celebrating Labour Day or May Day began as early as 1884, when it became an official public holiday in the US and Canada. In 1889, two separate labour organizations – one American and one Canadian – joined forces to create what is now known as International Workers' Day (or Labour Day). This day is celebrated every year around the world with parades, speeches, rallies and festivals to commemorate workers' rights. It is often referred to as May Day after its original celebration date: May 1st.
May Day is an annual event celebrated to commemorate International Workers' Day, and is considered a public holiday in many countries. May Day began as a commemoration of workers who fought for better working conditions and recognition for their contributions to society. Originally held on 1 May 1886, a day of international celebration was chosen by labour leaders after being inspired by both American labour leader, Peter McGuire and German socialist philosopher, Karl Marx. In Singapore, Labour Day (or May Day) is celebrated on 1 May each year as a mark of solidarity amongst workers. The celebration of May Day as a public holiday began only in 1960 after the People's Action Party came into power. It was initially celebrated on 21 July but it was moved to 1 May when Singapore gained independence. Singapore Labour Day is a statutory holiday that falls on every first Monday of May every year. Like other statutory holidays, all offices are closed while schools and most businesses remain open. However, retail stores like supermarkets are allowed to operate with restricted hours during Singapore Labour Day. This special day also marks another important milestone in Singapore’s history – National Service (NS). As part of NS, male citizens must undergo two years of full-time military training starting at age 18 or risk prosecution under Singapore law. A few weeks before Singapore Labour Day, male citizens will receive letters from NS authorities informing them whether they have been selected for enlistment into national service or not. Those who have been selected will be notified about their Basic Military Training date which usually falls within 3 months after Singapore Labour Day.
History of Labour Day In Singapore
It was only when Lee Kuan Yew became Prime Minister of Singapore that Labour Day was celebrated with gusto. This celebration as a public holiday happened only in 1960 after his party, People's Action Party came into power. Singapore had remained one of those few countries where May Day is not celebrated as a public holiday and instead, Labour day is. It was back then that Mr Lee Kuan Yew read out two letters by him to Cabinet ministers on 5 April 1960 regarding a change from May 1st to 1st May for Labour day celebrations. The first letter dated 4th April 1960 to Dr Goh Keng Swee, who was then acting minister for labour said May Day has no relevance in Singapore. We should have our own day which should be linked up with our national identity. The second letter dated 5th April 1960 to Toh Chin Chye said the new date (1st May) should be officially proclaimed as Labour Day so that it will be a National Holiday. On 6th June 1963, Parliament passed an Act changing Labour Day from 1 May to 1st May each year. From 1963 onwards until today, Singaporeans have been celebrating their annual Labour Day every year on 1st May. The day started off in Singapore with just a morning parade at Jalan Besar Stadium. Later on, more activities were added to make it more festive. In 1966, free entertainment programmes were introduced including performances by artists such as Faye Wong and Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng, while since 2004 there has also been live telecast of these events. In 2001, a concert featuring international pop stars like Phil Collins and local artistes like Stefanie Sun was held at Fort Canning Park in order to celebrate Singapore's 30 years of independence.
Facts about Labour Day in Singapore
In Singapore, May Day (or Labour Day) is celebrated on 1 May each year as a mark of solidarity amongst workers. The celebration of May Day as a public holiday began only in 1960 after the People's Action Party came into power. Here are some interesting facts about Labour day in Singapore
1. Singapore Labour Day was first celebrated in 1891 by local unions and associations. They commemorated it with street processions and meetings.
2. During World War II, it was temporarily suspended due to food shortages and other war-related issues until 1946 when it was revived again by unions and associations to commemorate its revival once more in 1958 when they renamed it May Day. It has been held annually ever since then.
3. Labour Day is a statutory holiday that celebrates workers' rights to fair wages and good working conditions through peaceful labour movements without fear of intimidation or harassment from employers who had previously refused to negotiate with their employees or even fired them for demanding better pay or working conditions.
4. It is also a day when all Singaporeans come together to celebrate our hardworking labourers, domestic helpers, taxi drivers, cleaners, construction workers and others who work tirelessly to keep Singapore going!
5. The first May Day celebration was held on 1 May 1891 at Hong Lim Green under the auspices of Tanjong Pagar Dock Company's Employees Union. The meeting was attended by about 2,000 people including European residents.
Is there Labour Day holiday in Singapore?
Yes, Labour Day is a holiday in Singapore. For 2022, Labour Day is on May 1st and it will be a public holiday. There are many interesting facts about Singapore Labour Day which you may not know. Here are some of them:
The first celebration of May Day as a public holiday was held only in 1960 after People's Action Party came into power. It was celebrated to commemorate Singapore's independence from British rule as well as to foster solidarity amongst workers and their families. At that time, Singapore had not yet achieved full self-government but was still part of Malaysia under British colonial rule.
Is there any significance to it?
May Day has been celebrated as a labour day around the world since 1886 when it was first proclaimed by American and Canadian socialists. In 1917, over 400,000 workers went on strike across Russia on May 1 to call for an end to World War I and for basic human rights for workers. During that time it is said that up to 100 protesters were killed in clashes with police. The Soviet Union (USSR) abolished May Day celebrations after Vladimir Lenin's death in 1924 but restored them in 1941 under Joseph Stalin during World War II. Since then, May Day has been officially known as International Workers' Day or Labour Day. In China, Labour Day is called Workers' Memorial Day and is held on 23 April to commemorate those who died at work or while working for social causes. It also honours those who have contributed to society through their labour.
Why is May 1 Labor Day?
As we celebrate Labour Day on May 1st, let’s take a quick look at why that date was chosen by our founding fathers. The practice of celebrating Labour Day or May Day began as early as 1884, when it became an official public holiday in the US and Canada. In 1889, two separate labour organizations – one American and one Canadian – joined forces to create what is now known as International Workers' Day (or Labour Day). This day is celebrated every year around the world with parades, speeches, rallies and festivals to commemorate workers' rights. It is often referred to as May Day after its original celebration date: May 1st.
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