Today is the Great May Day. A day to recognize the movement and struggle of working people worldwide. The day is celebrated around the world on May 1 every year to honor the workers’ demands. Like other countries of the world, the day is being celebrated with importance in Bangladesh. On this occasion, today is a public holiday. The theme of this year’s May Day is ‘Workers-owners will build the country, Bangladesh will be smart.’

The President gave a separate message on the occasion of May Day. Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On May Day, the President wished and congratulated all the working people of the world including Bangladesh. Sahabuddin said that the role of working people worldwide is very important in socio-economic development. Industry and labor friendly present government is continuously working for the overall welfare of the workers and increasing their skills. He said that in building a developed and smart Bangladesh by 2041, there is no alternative to ensuring better working environment, good worker-owner relationship, occupational safety and well-being of workers.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in a speech that the Bangladesh Labor Act has been modernized and modernized to ensure safe working environment, social security and worker welfare by maintaining cordial and good relations between employers and workers. Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Foundation has been formed to ensure the welfare of workers working in various sectors of the country. We have formed a central fund to provide financial assistance to workers in the export-oriented garment industry and continue to cooperate. Wages of workers in all sectors have been increased.

On this day in 1886, Hay Market workers in Chicago, USA sacrificed their lives to demand 8 hours of work. At that time, when an unidentified person threw a bomb at the policemen who were surrounding the protesting workers, the police opened fire on the workers. 10-12 workers and police were killed. On that day, through their sacrifice, the rights of the working class were established in the world. In other words, some workers had to give their lives while protesting for the establishment of rights to demand 8 hours of work a day in Chicago’s hay market. However, the day was decided later. In 1889, on the centenary of the French Revolution, the Second International Congress was held in Paris. Since 1890 there, Raymond Lavin proposed to observe the anniversary of the Chicago protest internationally in different countries. This proposal was accepted in the International Congress in 1891. Then in 1894 the May Day Riot happened.

100 years later, a resolution was adopted on this occasion at the International Conference of Socialists held in Amsterdam in 1904. In that proposal, all the labor unions around the world decided to ‘compulsorily not work’ on May 1. Since then the day has been celebrated as ‘May Day’ all over the world.

On the occasion of the day, opposition leader and Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader and State Minister of Labor and Employment Md. Various political parties and labor organizations including Nazrul Islam Chowdhury have issued statements congratulating. These statements called for initiatives to ensure workers’ fair wages and rights. Highlighting the significance of the day, special articles have been published in national newspapers. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels are broadcasting special programs and talk shows. On the initiative of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the main program of May Day has been organized at Bangabandhu International Conference Center today at 11 am.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be the chief guest on the occasion. Jatiya Sramik League will hold a labor rally in front of the party’s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue at 3 p.m. Awami League general secretary will be the chief guest on the occasion. Bangladesh Workers Party made a statement on the occasion of May Day. Also, this afternoon, various cultural organizations will perform cultural performances on the occasion of the Great May Day at Dhaka University’s Swaparjit Swabandhu Manch. These performances will include mass music and drama. The Bangladesh Trade Union Association will hold a rally in front of the National Press Club at 9 am.