Labor Day in New Zealand (24/10)

Now democratic New Zealand, tacitly considered a «rai for workers», has come a long way to win this title. The historical path of workers who fought for their labor rights is dedicated to the public holiday Labor Day, celebrated annually on the fourth Monday of October.

New Zealand workers were among the first in the world to defend the right to an 8-hour working day. Much of New Zealand's working class owes this victory to Samuel Parnell, a Wellington carpenter who was the first to refuse to work more than eight hours a day. He insisted that the day was divided into three equal parts: 8 hours were allotted for work, 8 hours for sleep and 8 hours for leisure. Samuel had a significant influence on other workers, and in 1840 a resolution was passed by the labor collectives in support of his claims.

The workers' holiday was first celebrated on October 28, 1890, when it had already become normal for many artisans and traders to work 8 hours a day. Several thousand workers' unions demonstrated in the country's largest cities. By the way, officials were given a day off so that they could attend the demonstration. Many businesses were closed that day.

Starting in 1900, Labor Day was given the status of an official day off. However, initially there was no agreement on the date. Each province celebrated this holiday on different days, which greatly cared about the owners of large ships. They complained that sailors enjoyed a plurality of dates and celebrated Labor Day in every port wherever ships entered. Then, in 1910, the government announced that from now on the workers' professional holiday would be celebrated throughout the country on the fourth Monday of October.

But by the 1920s, Labor Day began to lose its « entertainment». Theater and circus performances are a thing of the past. And although many workers' unions still met on this day, organized picnics and sports games, for most workers this day did not seem more special than other holidays.

Today, for many New Zealanders, this is essentially another day off« with such favorite picnics and barbecues here.

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