In observance of Workers’ Day on Thursday, May 1, most government offices, private businesses, and international agencies in Costa Rica are closed.

The holiday honors laborers and the working class and is recognized globally by the international labor movement.

The international holiday was chosen by the American Federation of Labor to commemorate the beginning of a public strike in the United States on May 1, 1886. That protest became a rallying point for labor rights and is now marked annually worldwide.

Additionally, in 1955 the Catholic Church dedicated May 1 to Saint Joseph the Worker, recognizing the patron saint of workers and craftsmen. According to the canonical Gospels, Joseph was a Jewish man of Nazareth who was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The Ministry of Labor noted that all public employees are entitled to a paid day off in observance of the national holiday. This applies to employees of non-essential institutions such as schools, universities, technical institutes, academies, banks, municipalities, clinics, ministries, and other government entities.

Essential public services, including electricity, drinking water, public safety, transportation, and healthcare, remain operational. Agencies responsible for these services, such as the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), Water and Sewer Institute (AyA), Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Public Transport (MOPT), and the Social Security (CCSS), are required to maintain continuous service throughout the holiday.

Several foreign embassies, including those of the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, have also announced closures in observance of the holiday.

In the private sector, Costa Rica’s Labor Code designates May 1 as an official paid holiday. Employees required to work are entitled to double pay for the day.

The holiday, also known as Labour Day in some countries, is celebrated worldwide on May 1. However, some nations, including the United States and Canada, observe a similar holiday on the first Monday in September.