Bangladesh joined the rest of the world on Friday in observing May Day, honoring the historic struggle of workers for fair rights and better working conditions, while leaders reiterated commitments to improving labour welfare and dignity.

The historic May Day, also known as International Workers’ Solidarity Day, is being observed across Bangladesh with due importance alongside global celebrations. The day commemorates the late 19th-century labor movement in Chicago, where workers protested for an eight-hour workday.

This year’s theme, “Healthy Workers, Productive Hands, A New Dawn Awaits (Sustho Sramik, Karmotho Hat, Ashbe Ebar Nobo Provat),” highlights the importance of workers’ well-being in national progress. The day has been declared a public holiday, with newspapers publishing special supplements and electronic media broadcasting programmes focusing on its significance.

Various socio-cultural organizations and political parties have arranged events and activities marking the occasion.

May Day traces back to May 1, 1886, when workers in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight-hour workday instead of the prevailing 12-hour shifts. During protests at Haymarket, police opened fire, killing several workers. The movement eventually led to the global acceptance of the eight-hour workday.

In 1889, an international workers’ congress in Paris officially declared May 1 as International Workers’ Solidarity Day, and it has been observed worldwide since 1890.

Marking the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages emphasizing the importance of workers in national development.

The President highlighted past and ongoing initiatives aimed at ensuring workers’ rights and welfare, including labor law reforms, fair wages, social security measures and the expansion of trade union rights. He stressed that workers are the driving force behind the country’s progress and underscored the need for safe working environments and social protection.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman described workers as the backbone of development across all sectors, including industry, agriculture and infrastructure. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving living standards, ensuring fair rights and enhancing workplace safety and dignity.

Both leaders expressed hope that continued efforts would significantly improve the lives of workers and contribute to building a prosperous Bangladesh.

Sun News/ra