Labour Day in São Tomé & Príncipe

Legal status and date

The Labour Code lists May 1 as International Workers’ Day among the country’s obligatory national holidays. Workers are entitled to pay for national holidays; the tourism authority’s guide also says workers required to work on a holiday may receive a paid day off in lieu or higher pay, according to the employment contract.[1][2]

The Code sets a weekend rule: when an obligatory holiday falls on Saturday, it moves to the preceding Friday; when it falls on Sunday, it moves to the following Monday. The holiday’s calendar date remains May 1.[1]

A local record of May Day

An archival record of the 1974 May Day demonstration describes it as the first free celebration of the day in the then Portuguese overseas province. The gathering took place near the Government Palace in São Tomé, where workers from several sectors, including commerce, industry and agriculture, took part.[3]

The archive records participants greeting government official Manuel Pinto do Souto, applauding, singing the national anthem and dispersing near the palace.[3]

Meaning and observance

The national tourism authority describes May 1 as a celebration of workers and their importance to society and the national economy. It also characterizes the holiday as a chance for celebration and leisure, as well as protest and calls for greater workers’ rights.[2]

The authority notes that difficult working conditions remain part of the country’s labour context, including poor conditions on plantations.[2]

Planning around the holiday

Check directly with the office, business or transport provider you plan to use for May 1 opening hours or schedules.[1][2]