The historic May Day is being observed in Bangladesh on Friday, as elsewhere across the world.
May Day, also known as International Workers’ Solidarity Day, commemorates the historic labor movement in Chicago, US, during the late nineteenth century struggle for an eight-hour working day.
This year’s theme is: “Shushtho Shramik, Kormoth Haat; Asbey Ebar Nabo Probhat”.
The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh. Newspapers will publish special supplements, while radio and television channels will air special programs highlighting their significance.
Different socio-cultural organizations and political parties have chalked out various programs to observe the day.
The origins of May Day date back to the labor movement in Chicago in 1886, when protests demanding an eight-hour working day marked a turning point in global workers’ rights movements. In 1889, an international workers’ meeting in Paris declared May 1 as International Workers’ Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicago movement. Since 1890, the day has been observed globally.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages on the occasion.
In his message, the president said the contribution of workers is central to national development and highlighted ongoing government initiatives for labor welfare, including labor law reforms, fair wages, social security measures for informal workers, trade union rights, and improved working conditions.
He stressed the need to ensure safe workplaces, fair rights, and social protection to build a prosperous Bangladesh.
In his message, the prime minister said working people are the backbone of national development, adding that industry, agriculture, infrastructure and the overall economy depend on their labor.
He said improving living standards, ensuring fair rights, and creating a safe working environment remain key commitments of the government.
The prime minister wished overall success of all programs marking May Day.