Yahoo Finance What is Labour Day?
If you live in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory or South Australia, today is Labour Day - and given it’s a public holiday, you’re very likely not at work.
But outside of knowing we get a public holiday on the first Monday in October, many of us wouldn’t know the origins of the day.
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How did Labour Day originate?
Originally called Eight Hours Day, Labour Day in Australia commemorates the achievements of organised labour to implement the eight-hour working day, which was championed by British socialist, Robert Owen, and adopted in 1948.
Before this, workers were required to work between 10 and 12 hour days, six days a week.
Robert Owen’s idea was ‘888’: people should be have 8 hours for work, 8 hours for recreation and 8 hours for sleep.
On April 21, 1856, stonemasons at the University of Melbourne marched to Parliament house to push for an eight-hour working day.
An agreement with employers for a 48-hour working week was eventually reached, and a victory march was held on May 12 that year and each year after that.
Which states celebrate Labour Day?
While only NSW, the ACT and SA celebrate in October, other states celebrate at other times.
Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria celebrate Labour Day in March, Queensland and the Northern Territory celebrate in May.
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