When is Labour Day?
In 2026, Labour Day falls on Friday, May 1, 2026. It is classified here as a Cambodian public holiday.
History of Labour Day
International Labour Day places Cambodia within the worldwide May 1 tradition of recognising workers and the social history of labour. As a paid public holiday for civil servants, workers and employees, it creates a shared pause across a country whose garment, construction, service, agricultural and informal workers all contribute to national life.
The day may include union, employer or public-sector messages, but for many households its most immediate meaning is time away from work. It is also a useful reminder to check service hours: banks and government offices close, while tourism and retail schedules are set independently.
In 2026 Labour Day coincided with Visak Bochea, so May 1 carried two distinct official identities but counted as one civil day in the twenty-one-day paid-holiday total. The overlap did not generate an extra substitute. Cambodia’s Labour Law requires an annual ministerial paid-holiday schedule and protects wages for those dates; where work cannot stop, current rules govern voluntary attendance and additional compensation. Informal and self-employed workers may experience the holiday differently from covered employees.
How Labour Day is observed
A paid public holiday on May 1; employees required to work follow current Labour Law and ministerial rules on voluntary holiday work and compensation.
Traditions of Labour Day
Worker and union events
Trade unions and labour organisations may arrange gatherings or statements on wages, safety, freedom of association and working conditions.
Public labour discussion
Media and civic groups examine garment, construction, agricultural, service and informal work rather than treating employment as one sector.
Paid rest or compensated work
Covered employees receive the scheduled paid holiday, while voluntary work in services that cannot stop requires applicable additional compensation.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Cambodian official and legal guidance. Lunar dates and annual government, provincial or employer schedules should be confirmed against official notices.
History sources: Office of the Council of Ministers, Cambodia: 2026 public-holiday calendar, National Bank of Cambodia: Public Holidays 2026, Cambodia Ministry of Tourism: Public holidays and festival guide, Ministry of Economy and Finance: 2026 public-holiday calendar, Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training: Labour Law, KPMG Cambodia: 2021 Labour Law amendment and revised Article 162.
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