Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said the government will continue tripartite cooperation among the government, employers and workers to resolve labour-related issues and expand opportunities in the sector.
He made the remarks while presiding over a discussion marking May Day 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on Friday, which was attended by President Mohammed Shahabuddin as the chief guest.
The minister said the welfare of working people and the vision of a prosperous Bangladesh were central to the state philosophy of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
He added that the present government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working to ensure workers' rights, safety, healthcare and a decent working environment.
He further said coordinated policy support helped maintain a stable labour situation during the last Eid-ul-Fitr, ensuring the timely payment of wages, bonuses and leave facilities, which allowed workers to celebrate Eid with their families.
Preparations for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha have already begun through consultations with stakeholders, he added.
The minister stressed that effective cooperation between workers and employers is essential for implementing labour welfare initiatives.
During the program, compensation cheques of Tk200000 each from the Labour Welfare Foundation were handed over to the families of 13 workers killed in the Mirpur chemical warehouse fire.
Earlier, a colourful May Day rally was brought out, led by the labour minister, starting from the South Plaza of the National Parliament and ending at the conference centre.
Advisers to the Prime Minister, Nazrul Islam Khan and Mahdi Amin, attended as special guests.
ILO Bangladesh Country Director Max Tunon, Bangladesh Employers Federation President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, labour representative Anwar Hossain and senior officials were present at the program.
