Labour Day 2026: what's happening and what it means

Labour Day marches are being held as Iran war and rising energy prices threaten the global economy. Labour Day 2026 has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Uganda.

Key facts

• Labour Day marches are being held as Iran war and rising energy prices threaten the global economy.
• Workers are gathering in cities around the world to mark International Labour Day, with some demonstrations, such as those in Istanbul, Turkiye, turning to scuffles with police.
• In many countries, Labour Day rallies attract large crowds because May 1 is a public holiday.
• While Labour Day began in the US, when workers protested for an eight-hour workday in the 1880s, the US does not count May Day as a public holiday.
• “Working people refuse to pay the price for Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East,” the European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries, told the media. “Today’s rallies show working people will not stand by and see their jobs and living standards destroyed.”

What we know

Going deeper, Workers are gathering in cities around the world to mark International Labour Day, with some demonstrations, such as those in Istanbul, Turkiye, turning to scuffles with police.

On the substance, In many countries, Labour Day rallies attract large crowds because May 1 is a public holiday.

Beyond the headlines, while Labour Day began in the US, when workers protested for an eight-hour workday in the 1880s, the US does not count May Day as a public holiday.

More precisely, In Argentina, angry workers protested on Thursday in the capital of Buenos Aires over President Javier Milei’s recent overhaul of long-held labour protections.

It is worth noting that On Friday, Cubans are expected to mark International Labour Day with a mass rally and a march in Havana.

By the numbers

“Working people refuse to pay the price for Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East,” the European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries, told the media. “Today’s rallies show working people will not stand by and see their jobs and living standards destroyed.”

On a related note, However, an umbrella group of activist and workers’ groups known as May Day Strong has called for protests under the slogan, “workers over billionaires”.

Going deeper, the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions said that about 550,000 workers across Gaza and the West Bank have no income and that the situation is unprecedented.

On the substance, the International Trade Union Confederation has reported that at least four CEOs of major corporations each pocketed more than $100m in pay and bonuses last year, while many workers are facing potential job cuts.

The wider context

On a related note, Fears of a global recession are looming over Labour Day rallies at a time when income inequality is growing.

Going deeper, the Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world.

On the substance, In Cuba, the foreign ministry held a gathering on Thursday in defiance of what it called the US’s “aggressions, threats, intensified blockade, and energy siege”.

Beyond the headlines, In the Turkish city of Istanbul, roads around Taksim Square were closed to make way for marches during the day.

More precisely, Later on Friday, demonstrators clashed with police, international media reported.

The bottom line

• While Labour Day began in the US, when workers protested for an eight-hour workday in the 1880s, the US does not count May Day as a public holiday.
• The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world.
• In France, where most people have the day off for May Day, workers’ unions using the slogan “bread, peace and freedom” called for protests in Paris and other cities.
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