Staff Reporter :
The historic May Day is being observed today in Bangladesh and around the world, commemorating the enduring struggle and sacrifices of workers who, in 1886, laid down their lives at Chicago’s Haymarket Square to secure the fundamental right to an eight-hour working day.
This year’s national theme in Bangladesh – “Workers and Owners United; Let’s Rebuild This Country Anew” – underscores a renewed call for unity, mutual respect, and shared progress between employers and workers.
In a message issued on the eve of May Day and National Occupational Health and Safety Day 2025, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasised the indispensable role of both workers and employers in driving national development.
“The talent and toil of workers and owners remain behind the progress of each sector – including garments, agriculture, industry, construction, transportation, and technology,” said Dr Yunus. “To rebuild this country, all must strengthen the atmosphere of unity, mutual respect, and trust.”
He expressed optimism that the ongoing spirit of cooperation could help realise a long-cherished dream of a discrimination-free Bangladesh-one rooted in the historic student-worker-people movement of July-August. “If the trend of unity and cooperation continues, then building a new Bangladesh will not remain a mere dream, but a reality,” he added.
Observed globally for nearly 140 years, May Day stands as a powerful symbol of labour solidarity and a catalyst for advancing workers’ rights. In Bangladesh, the occasion is marked with solemnity and reflection, with labour unions, employers, and civil society paying tribute to those who fought for hard-won rights while acknowledging the challenges that remain.
This year’s observance of May Day coincides with National Occupational Health and Safety Day, drawing attention to the dual imperatives of fair labour practices and safe, dignified working conditions across industries.
“Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment is not only the right of workers, but also one of the fundamental conditions for industrial and economic development,” said Dr Yunus. “The improvement of workers’ living standards and welfare is reflected in the entire economy.”
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to social protection and fair recognition for all workers, in line with international labour standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As part of its reform efforts, the interim government recently established a Labour Reform Commission, tasked with modernising existing labour legislation and enhancing worker welfare. The 10-member commission, chaired by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), conducted extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders before submitting its final recommendations to the Chief Adviser on 21 April.
Across the nation, media outlets are marking the day with special features, broadcasts, and discussions. The broader message of May Day resonates now more than ever: that labour is not merely an economic function, but a vital pillar of national identity, dignity, and collective advancement.
While the world has seen major strides since 1886 – including legal recognition of the eight-hour workday, improved workplace protections, and a gradual dismantling of class barriers-the legacy of May Day remains profoundly relevant.
The early struggle for workers’ rights lives on in the present-day pursuit of fair wages, safe workplaces, and equitable partnerships between those who labour and those who lead.
