Today is May 1, International Workers' Day, commonly known as "May Day", commemorating the historic struggle and sacrifices of working people and renewing calls for ensuring labour rights, workplace safety and social security.
The day traces its origin to 1886, when workers in Chicago's Haymarket took to the streets demanding an eight-hour workday. The movement, marked by bloodshed, became a defining moment in the global labour rights movement and led to the recognition of workers' dignity and rights worldwide. The slogan "Workers of the world, unite" continues to serve as a central rallying call for labour movements across the globe.
Like other countries, Bangladesh is observing the day with various programmes. This year's theme is "Healthy workers, working hands; a new dawn will come".
President Md Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages marking the occasion, extending greetings to working people at home and abroad.
In his message, the President said, "I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to all the working people of the world, including Bangladesh."
In his message, the Prime Minister said, "Every time the BNP government came to power, it has taken special initiatives for the welfare of the working people." She referred to measures such as reform and modernisation of labour laws, formation of wage commissions, setting minimum wages for garment workers, payment of bonuses, establishment of a workers' welfare foundation and initiatives for healthcare and education of workers' children.
"In the continuity of the government of martyr President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia, it is the responsibility and priority of the current government to uphold the fair rights of workers and ensure the political, economic and social security of the working people by creating a safe working environment," he added.
Labour organisations across the country have organised rallies, processions and discussion meetings in industrial areas, including the capital, focusing on demands for increased minimum wages and improved workplace safety.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has arranged a national seminar and essay competition, while trade unions and professional federations have undertaken awareness campaigns through posters, leaflets and public outreach programmes.
Stakeholders say the observance of May Day has gone beyond ceremonial significance, emerging as a platform to press for improved living standards, fair wages and protection of workers' rights in line with constitutional and legal guarantees.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to address a May Day workers' rally in Dhaka for the first time, as the party anticipates a large turnout of thousands of workers at the event scheduled in Naya Paltan.
The announcement was made at a press conference on Thursday at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan by the party's Standing Committee member and political advisor Nazrul Islam Khan.
He said senior leaders, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will also speak at the rally.
Nazrul Islam Khan added that this year's May Day comes at a critical moment, with workers facing multiple challenges, including the absence of a national minimum wage structure for a long period, the expansion of outsourcing jobs, a shrinking labour market, and rising unemployment among educated youth.
At the same press conference, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the party will demand making the National Minimum Wage Board more effective in determining workers' wages.
He also said BNP will call for new laws and policy reforms to address the broader challenges faced by workers across the country.
