May Day, or international Workers' Day-2026 was observed across the country on Friday through rallies, discussions, cultural programmes, and political gatherings, highlighting long-standing demands for fair wages, safe working conditions, and stronger social protection for workers.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman pledged to protect workers' rights and restart
closed factories to strengthen Bangladesh's economy, while promising broader job creation for unemployed youth.
Speaking at a May Day rally organized by Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal in Naya Paltan, he said improving the lives of workers, farmers and hardworking people are key to the country's progress.
Tarique Rahman said that during the previous authoritarian government, many industries were destroyed in a planned way and the economy became dependent on imports.
After taking power, the current government started working to create jobs. Officials have been told to reopen closed factories quickly, and a high-level meeting will be held this week about it, he added.
The Prime Minister also said reopening factories alone is not enough because many young people are unemployed. The government is encouraging local and foreign investors to create jobs in the country and abroad.
He warned that no one will be allowed to play with the fate of workers anymore.
About removing street vendors (hawkers) to reduce traffic in Dhaka, he said hawkers also have families. So instead of just removing them, proper alternative work or business spaces must be provided. Work has already started to arrange places for them in Dhaka North and South.
He mentioned the student-public uprising of August 5, 2024, saying that for over a decade, workers and other people were denied their rights. He said not only workers, but also students, teachers, women, and ordinary people suffered.
He also said the previous government took away both political and economic rights and damaged the economy through corruption, making the country dependent on imports.
