Labor Day in Taiwan 台灣的勞動節

When is Labor Day in Taiwan?

May 1st every year.
If this holiday falls on a weekend, it will be celebrated either on the preceding Friday or the following Monday.

History of Labor Day in Taiwan

Labor Day in Taiwan is observed on May 1st, when workers are given a day off. However, this holiday does not apply to military personnel, civil servants, school teachers (except preschool and daycare staff), doctors employed under non-government contracts, or certain managers and employees in public institutions. According to the Labor Standards Act, Labor Day is officially recognized as a holiday, but some companies avoid granting extra time off when the date overlaps with a weekend, citing a 2011 Taipei City Government interpretation. This has led to inconsistencies, such as banks closing while Chunghwa Post continued operations. Teachers’ unions have criticized the arrangement, noting that schoolteachers must work while preschool teachers rest, creating childcare gaps. In 2019, the National Teachers’ Association urged the government to make May 1 a nationwide public holiday for all professions, arguing it would show respect for all workers and align Taiwan with international practice.
In 2025, the legislature passed a law making this a holiday for all starting in 2026.

How are workers treated in Taiwan?

In Taiwan, Teachers hold a high degree of respect and esteem, which is partly due to Confucian values that have been carried over from China. As a parent putting kids through a Taiwanese school, I can say that Teachers are put on a higher pedestal than parents. For instance, when my Taiwanese wife was in school, her parents believed everything the teacher said and agreed with all punishments, including corporal punishment that was abolished in the 1990s. Although values are changing in Taiwanese society, most people give high respect to teachers, especially older people.

What do people do on Labor Day in Taiwan?

On Labor Day, people do whatever they want. There is no set ritual or festival affiliated with this holiday. They get to rest from being a slave to a corporation or the man. They can stay at home all day or go see what they want to see.

Traveling, shopping, Visiting Family, etc.

Labor Day is a national holiday, so workers have an extended weekend off to travel, including international travel, as well as shop, visit family, eat out at restaurants, see movies, etc.

My Experience as a Foreigner During Labor Day in Taiwan:

In the past, before Teacher’s Day was a national holiday, my kids had to stay at school because teachers and students didn’t have the day off. So I would usually just hang out with my wife, go on a hike, or just chill at home. Then at 4:00 PM, we had to go pick up the kids. So it was never really a family-friendly day.
Now that Labor Day is a holiday for everyone, I am excited to spend more time with my family and maybe go somewhere farther away to vacation.

Tips For Travelling During the Labor Day Holiday in Taiwan:

• The airports can be packed, and flights will usually be more expensive.
• The roads will be jammed going south on the first day and jammed going north on the last day.
• It may be hard to book train tickets during the holiday.
• Hotels will be more expensive than normal. Every day will be like a Saturday night price.
• Camping spots should stay at the same price.
• Tourist spots may be packed with people.

Thanks for reading! For more festivals and activities in Taiwan, check out our full Taiwan Festival Guide here.

Check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.