Workers’ Day, noun phrase

Initially the first Friday in May, and subsequently the first of May, celebrated as a public holiday in honour of employees, especially manual labourers.
Note:
Before 1987 this holiday (elsewhere usually referred to as ‘May Day’ or ‘Labour Day’) was not officially recognized in South Africa.
1987 Proclamation in Govt Gaz. Vol.262 No.10683, 1I hereby declare the first Friday of May as a public holiday throughout the Republic to be commemorated as Workers’ Day.
1988 Cape Times 5 May 1The Cape Times will appear as usual tomorrow, Workers’ Day.
1988 New Nation 7 July 2The IMF has called for May 1 to replace Workers Day as a paid public holiday.
1989 E. Prov. Herald 7 Oct. 1The Government decided yesterday that, as from 1990, Workers’ Day will fall on May 1.
1994 E. Prov. Herald 8 Sept. 1It was accepted that Workers’ Day would be on May 1 rather than on the first Friday of May.
Initially the first Friday in May, and subsequently the first of May, celebrated as a public holiday in honour of employees, especially manual labourers.
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19871994

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wood-and-iron, adjectiveadj.wors, nounn.
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