Labor Day 2025, School Holiday & Public Holiday Dates

Labor Day 2025 date, Labor Day celebration or Labor Day, school holidays and public holidays, reflect one of the significant transformations of Labour Day in terms of its historical roots. While this global celebration is generally to commemorate the struggles of industrial workers, celebrations in Malaysia have arguably shifted to focus more on leisure and family activities.

The types and functions of work that we can see where constantly changing in modern Malaysia, coupled with the various interpretations of this holiday, provide an interesting paradox to explore further.

Labor Day Date 2025

Announcement of the Official Date of Labor Day Holiday 2025

If you refer to the 2025 federal and state public holiday schedule by kabinet.gov.my, Labour Day will be celebrated in Malaysia on:

• May 1, 2025 (Thursday) – Workers' Day / Labor Day (All States)

May 2025

School Holidays in Conjunction with Labour Day Public Holiday 2025

All students in Malaysia will enjoy the Labor Day holiday or Labor Day based on their school group in 2025. These dates will help students, parents and even teachers plan their celebrations and travel arrangements effectively.

Group A

(Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu)

• 1 May 2025 (Thursday) – School holiday in all states

Group B

(Mellaka, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, WP Kuala Lumpur, WP Labuan and WP Putrajaya)

• 1 May 2025 (Thursday) – School holiday in all states

If you plan ahead, keep in mind that the school will follow the government's public holiday schedule without additional holidays.

The Ministry of Education has not announced any special/additional arrangements for the 2025 Labour Day celebration. You can check the official MOE portal for any latest information on the academic calendar as the celebration date approaches.

Labor Day Celebration in Malaysia

Although Labour Day is now one of the established public holidays in Malaysia, its origins can be traced back to the industrial revolution and the global labour movement in the late 19th century.

During this period, workers around the world faced some of the harshest conditions, including excessive working hours, often lasting up to 19 hours a day. The movement to uphold workers' rights gained momentum through a series of ongoing peaceful protests, although many of them ended in unintended tragedy.

The recognition of Malaysian Workers' Day certainly reflects the international struggle for fair labor practices and workers' rights.

While it cannot be denied that public awareness of its historical significance is still limited in Malaysia, Labour Day has evolved into a time for family gatherings and leisure activities.

The modern celebration now bears little resemblance to the original purpose of the day in the past to commemorate the struggles and achievements of workers in obtaining better working conditions and guaranteed safety.

The legal framework governing Labour Day in Malaysia has set out clear rights and responsibilities for both employers and employees.

Understanding these legal rights is crucial for employees to assert their rights and for employers to maintain compliance with labor regulations during this important public holiday.