Staff Reporter :
The historic May Day will be observed in Bangladesh along with the rest of the world today Thursday in a befitting manner.
This year’s theme of the day is ‘Sramik-Malik Gorbo Desh, Smart Hobey Bangladesh’.
Newspapers will publish supplements while radio and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels will broadcast special programmes and talk shows.
Different organizations, political parties chalked out various programmes to observe the day.
The day is being observed across the globe since 1886 commemorating the supreme sacrifices of the workers at Hay Market, Chicago, in the USA for eight-hour working day and upholding the rights of the working people.
To press home their demands, working people had to sacrifice their valuable lives in tragic bomb attacks and police atrocities on May 1, 1886 and the following days.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve 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 1972, under the initiative and strong leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Bangladesh became a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and ratified 29 conventions, including 6 core conventions of the ILO, the President said in his message.
“Through the positive and progressive participation of workers and employers, stability and productivity in the labor sector will be enhanced,” the President hoped.
The underlying significance of the Great May Day is closely connected with the rights, interests and welfare of the working people, Shahabuddin mentioned.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 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, the premier said.
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, she added.
Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation has been formed to ensure the welfare of workers working in different sectors of the country, Sheikh Hasina continued.
On the occasion of the Great May Day, various organizations including the ruling party Awami League, the main opposition party-BNP and several other political and labor right organisations have taken elaborate programmes on the day.