Shawdesh Desk:

The historic May Day is being observed today in the country and elsewhere in the world.

The day is a public holiday.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has taken elaborate programmes to observe the day. This year’s theme of the day in Bangladesh is ‘Sramik-Malik Ekota, Unnayanaer Nishchoyota’.

May Day, also called the International Workers’ Solidarity Day, commemorates the historic uprising of the working class in Chicago for an eight-hour workday.

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday issued separate messages on the occasion of the historic May Day.

They extended their greetings to all working people of the world, including Bangladesh, wishing success of all programmes on the occasion.

In his message, the president said Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had fought for the rights of hard-working people throughout his life.

Bangabandhu was a true friend of working people and therefore, after independence, ‘May Day’ received state recognition and he declared May Day a public holiday, he added.

Bangabandhu set up a wage commission to ensure fair rights of the workers and he also announced a new salary structure for the workers, Hamid said.

In 1972, under the initiative and strong leadership of Father of Nation, Bangladesh became a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and ratified 29 conventions, including 6 core conventions of the ILO, which is a rare occurrence, he said.

The article 14 of the constitution of Bangladesh promises to ensure the fundamental rights of all citizens and to free the peasants and workers from all forms of exploitation, he continued.

In order to survive in today’s competitive world, President said, the government needs to be more dedicated to increasing factory production by maintaining good relations between workers as well as owners.

He urged all development partners, including the government and workers-owners, to work together to ensure the welfare of the workers.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message, said, Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formulated a labor policy in 1972 with the aim of establishing a society free from exploitation.

He strengthened the country’s economy and ensured the fair rights of the workers by nationalizing the abandoned mills, she said.

The present Awami League led government is implementing various activities for the development and welfare of the working people of the country, she added.

Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been enacted by updating and modernizing the Bangladesh Labor Act to ensure safe working environment, social security and workers’ welfare by maintaining goodwill and good relations between employers and workers, the premier said.Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation has been formed to ensure the welfare of workers working in different sectors of the country, she said

Marking the historic day, the Ministry of Labour and Employment and its subordinate departments, offices, agencies and leaders of various labor organizations led by State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian will pay tributes to Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait in the capital’s Dhanmondi Number-32 area around 10 am today.

Meanwhile, a discussion will be organized at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) at 10 am on May 8 where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join virtually as the chief guest.

State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian will preside over the programme.

Ten workers were killed in Chicago on May 1, 1886 when police opened fire on a demonstration demanding an eight-hour working day instead of a 12-hour shift.

The authorities were eventually forced to accept the workers’ demand which resulted in an eight-hour working day universally.

On July 14, 1889, an international workers’ rally in Paris declared May 1 as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day in recognition of the workers’ sacrifice in Chicago.

Like every year, newspapers have published supplements while radio and television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.