Labour Day 2024, 2025 and 2026 in Jamaica
Unlike in most other countries, where Labour Day is celebrated on 1 May, in Jamaica, it falls on 23 May. The date, however, will move to the following Monday if 23 May falls on a Sunday or a Saturday.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 May | Thu | Labour Day |
| 2025 | 23 May | Fri | Labour Day |
| 2026 | 23 May | Sat | Labour Day |
| 25 May | Mon | Labour Day Holiday | |
| Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. | |||
The reason for the differing date is to commemorate the 1938 “labour revolt”, an event that did much to help win Jamaican independence.
Alexander Bustamante led the rebellion and later became Jamaica’s first prime minister. After independence from the UK, Labour Day replaced Empire Day, which had been on 24 May and was a celebration of the British Empire.
Bustamante, when in office, helped promote the idea of using Labour Day as an opportunity to take part in community and public improvement projects, and many still volunteer for these programs every year.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 23 May | Tue | Labour Day |
| 2022 | 23 May | Mon | Labour Day |
| 2021 | 23 May | Sun | Labour Day |
| 24 May | Mon | Labour Day Holiday | |
| 2020 | 23 May | Sat | Labour Day |
| 25 May | Mon | Labour Day Holiday | |
| 2019 | 23 May | Thu | Labour Day |
| 2018 | 23 May | Wed | Labour Day |
| 2017 | 23 May | Tue | Labour Day |