Eight Hours Day

Eight Hours Day, also known as Labour Day, is an annual public holiday in Tasmania, observed to pay tribute to the achievements of the Australian labour movement. The day commemorates the successful campaign for an eight-hour workday which has contributed to the improvement of labour rights over the years. Central to the observance is the recognition of the fair and balanced division of each day into eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours of leisure, which has become the standard working hours worldwide.

The campaign for an eight-hour working day started in the 1850s in Australia, initiated by stonemasons working on Melbourne's public buildings. The Eight Hours Day act was passed in 1856 when workers laid down their tools and marched to Parliament House in Melbourne, demanding an eight-hour workday without a reduction in pay. Today, the significance of the holiday has expanded to celebrate the broader labour movement, fighting for workers' rights, social reforms, and workers' welfare throughout the history of Australia.

To observe Eight Hours Day, many people in Tasmania take the opportunity to spend quality time with their families and friends, participating in recreational activities or attending picnics and barbecues. Various events and activities are organized by labour unions, acknowledging the importance of the day and engaging the community in collective recognition. In Tasmania, Eight Hours Day is celebrated on the second Monday in March, with the specific date varying each year.