Labour Day in Rwanda

A public holiday with a weekend rule

Presidential Order No. 062/01 lists 1 May as Labour Day among Rwanda’s public holidays. It also says that when a public holiday falls on a weekend, the following working day becomes a public holiday. The order applies this rule to public holidays generally, with an exception for the 7 April Genocide Memorial Day.[1]

Rwanda’s Labour Law says an employee is entitled to an official public holiday with full salary. If an employee works on the holiday, the law provides an equivalent rest day within 30 days. The holiday is therefore a day off with pay under the law, while the rest-day provision covers employees required to work.[2]

How Rwanda marks the day

Government accounts show Labour Day as a public occasion for recognizing workers and discussing employment priorities. At an official celebration in 2025, the Minister of Public Service and Labour described it as both a celebration of workers’ contributions and a moment to reflect on Rwanda’s employment priorities. Representatives from government, private companies, civil society and international partners attended.[4]

A 2024 Ministry account describes a gathering that included public- and private-sector representatives, development partners, academics, trade unions and young entrepreneurs. It also listed activities scheduled during that May, including labour day tournaments, provincial employment dialogues and institutional celebrations. These are documented examples of events, not a guarantee that the same programme takes place every year.[3]

The wider workers’ day

International Workers’ Day is associated with the labour movement’s campaigns over working hours. The International Labour Organization traces 1 May’s observance to the 1880s and describes its roots in workers’ worldwide efforts to limit daily working hours.[5]

Planning around Labour Day

The holiday’s legal status and pay entitlement are clear, but the cited laws and government accounts do not set opening hours for banks, shops, tourist sites or public transport. Residents and visitors should check directly with the service they plan to use, especially if they need an appointment, cash or a particular journey.[1][2]