Labour Day in Réunion
Labour Day is observed on 1 May in Réunion under the French Labour Code, which names the date as a public holiday and generally requires it to be non-working. The law also gives workers in services that cannot stop work a specific pay entitlement.[1][2]
A day set by national law
The Labour Code lists 1 May among France’s legal public holidays. A separate provision explicitly says the day is both a public holiday and non-working. The same overseas-territory chapter names 20 December as Réunion’s public holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery, a distinct date with a different meaning.[1][3]
The law does not make every workplace close. Employees working in establishments or services that cannot interrupt their activity are entitled to their usual pay for the work and an additional amount equal to that pay. For other employees, the law says 1 May’s non-working status must not reduce wages; it also provides compensation for hourly, daily or output-paid workers who lose pay because they do not work.[2]
Origins and meaning
Labour Day has a history linked to workers’ rights movements. The French National Audiovisual Institute traces the May Day workers’ demonstrations to the United States and reports that the idea was adopted in France after a proposal at the 1889 congress of the Second International in Paris. It says the first French demonstrations took place the following year and that 1 May became a non-working public holiday in 1947.[4]
For Réunion, the local distinction is legal: 1 May is part of the national list of public holidays, while 20 December separately commemorates the abolition of slavery on the island. Check local listings for Labour Day events or customs.[1][3]
What to expect
Because the law generally treats 1 May as non-working, many employees have the day off, while services that cannot stop may continue under the special pay rule. The law does not specify opening hours for individual offices, shops, banks, attractions or transport services, so visitors should check directly with each provider.[1][2]
The holiday falls on 1 May each year. The Labour Code provisions cited here establish the holiday itself but do not set a general replacement day.[1]
Labour Day in Réunion: FAQs
Is Labour Day a public holiday in Réunion?
When is Labour Day observed?
It is observed on 1 May each year.[1]
Does everyone have the day off?
The law generally treats 1 May as non-working, but employees in services that cannot interrupt work may work and receive an additional payment equal to their pay for that work.[2]
Are shops, banks and transport open?
Is Labour Day the same as Réunion’s 20 December commemoration?
No. The Labour Code lists 20 December separately as the Réunion holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for Labour Day in Réunion:
- Article L3133-1 - Code du travail- Légifrance
- Section 2 : Journée du 1er mai (Articles L3133-4 à L3133-6) - Code du travail- Légifrance
- Article L3422-2 - Code du travail- Légifrance
- 1er mai : les origines de la Fête du travail- Institut national de l’audiovisuel (INA)