Wealth creation key to workers’ rights: Dr. Moyeen
Staff Reporter :
BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Monday underscored the importance of wealth creation for meeting the needs of the impoverished population.
Speaking at a discussion titled “National Convention on Labor Manifesto,” organised by the National Advocacy Alliance for Workers’ Rights at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, he stressed that wealth accumulation is essential for fulfilling the demands of workers and safeguarding their rights.
Dr. Moyeen Khan began by asserting that the primary concern for protecting workers’ interests is not just legislation but the creation of wealth.
“The most important thing for protecting workers’ interests and establishing their fair rights is wealth creation. It is possible to meet the needs of the poor only through wealth creation. For this, proper and effective planning is essential,” he said.
The veteran BNP leader, in his address, pointed out the contradiction between the constitutional recognition of workers’ rights and their current struggle for these same rights.
“The matter of headlining workers’ rights has been written in the country’s constitution for over 54 years. Then why do we have to raise new demands on this issue today?” he asked.
He stressed that the most effective means of achieving workers’ rights today lies in wealth accumulation through well-planned economic growth.
Dr Khan also reminded the audience of the sacrifices made by workers throughout history, highlighting the 1886 labor struggles.
“Workers are the real architects of building the country,” he declared, recalling how, during the labor struggles of 1886, workers shed blood in their fight for an eight-hour workday.
“Yet, even today, after more than 150 years, that demand has still not been fully realized,” he lamented.
The BNP leader also emphasized that many of the demands made by workers today, such as better working conditions and fair wages, have been present since the late 19th century.
“Why have those rights of workers not been realised today? Who is responsible for this failure?” Dr. Khan questioned, challenging the country’s leadership and calling for greater responsibility in fulfilling the workers’ demands.
Reflecting on his tenure as Planning Minister, Dr Khan shared his experience working with former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
He recalled that she had emphasized the need for development to be not just concentrated in the private sector but also spread to rural areas.
“Development must reach the rural people; the development of rural areas must be ensured,” he quoted her as saying, highlighting the importance of inclusive development.
Dr Khan concluded his speech by advocating for ongoing efforts to secure workers’ rights and the necessity of a collective push from the masses to achieve these goals.
The event, arranged by the Workers’ Rights Advocacy Alliance (BILS), was attended by prominent figures including BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, General Secretary of Gonoforum Mizanur Rahman, Presidium member of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ashraf Ali Akand, Co-President of Gonoadhikar Parishad Abdur Rahman, and Senior Joint General Secretary of NCP Arifur Rahman, among other leaders. The gathering highlighted the need for sustained efforts to address workers’ rights and social justice.