Labouring to Make a Difference – History and Registration of Labour Day Projects

Labour Day, celebrated annually in Jamaica on May 23 since 1960, honours the efforts of Jamaican citizens to improve their communities through various projects. The importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding the environment for future generations is conveyed in this year’s theme — ‘Protect the Environment: Our Land, Our Duty, Our Future’ with the slogan ‘Jamaica Nice, Protect Wi Paradise.’ The National project for 2025 will be the establishment of an Environmental and Research Park at Mason River in Clarendon.

History of Labour Day

Prior to the observation of Labour Day on the island, Empire Day was celebrated annually on May 24 which was to commemorate Queen Victoria’s birthday. Since then, that celebration has been transformed into what is now known as Labour Day which is observed on May 23. The timeline of this transformation is listed below.

• 1958: Empire Day was officially renamed Commonwealth Day.
• 1960: Commonwealth Day was replaced with Labour Day through legislation by The late Most Honourable Norman Washington Manley, on June 15. The Holiday (Public General) Law was amended to recognise May 23 as Labour Day, commemorating the 1938 working-class strikes.
• 1972: The late Most Honourable Michael Manley dedicated Labour Day to voluntary community service and encouraged Jamaicans to contribute to national development through participation in projects rather than simply observing the holiday. The first National Labour Day Project was the clearing of land and beautification of the Palisadoes Road (now known as the Norman Manley Highway).
• 1989: Selected themes for Labour Day were introduced to encourage national involvement. The first theme for Labour Day was ‘Education’.

Registration for Labour Day Projects

Persons desirous of participating in the National Labour Day project can do so by completing the registration forms online. Additionally, if members of community groups and organisations have smaller projects that they would like to undertake on Labour Day they also have the opportunity to register online. Registration closes on May 23, 2025.

For additional information contact:

The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport
4-6 Trafalgar Road,
Kingston
Tel: 876-978-7654
Email: info@mcges.gov.jm
Website: www.mcges.gov.jm
Facebook: @MCGESJamaica
X/Instagram: @mcgesjamaica

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security
1F North Street,
Kingston
Tel: (Labour Division) 876- 922-9500-17
Email: clientcare@mlss.gov.jm
Website: www.mlss.gov.jm
Facebook/Instagram: mlssjamaica
X: @jamaicamlss