The historic May Day is being observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the world today.
May Day, also known as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day, commemorates the historic uprising of working people in Chicago, USA at the height of a prolonged fight for an eight-hour workday in the late nineteenth century.
This year’s theme is “Healthy Workers, Productive Hands, A New Dawn Awaits”.
The day is a public holiday.
Newspapers have brought out special supplements, while radio and television channels are airing programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Political parties and socio-cultural organisations are marking the occasion with various programmes.
On May 1, 1886, police opened fire on a workers’ demonstration near Haymarket in Chicago, killing 10 people who were demanding an eight-hour workday instead of a 12-hour shift.
Following the protests, authorities accepted the demand, leading to the introduction of the eight-hour workday.
On July 14, 1889, an international workers’ gathering in Paris declared May 1 as International Workers’ Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicago workers’ sacrifice.
The day has been observed globally since 1890.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages marking the day.
Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had taken steps to ensure workers’ rights and welfare, said President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
He said the current government is continuing that legacy through various policies aimed at improving labour welfare.
These include labour law reforms, ensuring fair wages, social security for informal workers, a self-financed pension system, trade union rights, reopening closed industries, food support at fair prices, and job security for permanent workers.
The implementation of these initiatives is expected to improve workers’ living standards, he said.
Workers are the key drivers of national development and progress, said President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
He stressed the need to ensure workers’ rights, safe workplaces and social security to build a prosperous Bangladesh.
Working people are the backbone of national development, said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
He said sectors such as industry, agriculture and infrastructure depend on workers’ contributions.
Improving living standards, ensuring fair rights, workplace safety and social dignity remain key priorities of the government, he said.
He wished success for all programmes marking May Day.
