Great May Day: Workers dignity, rights and a secure future
Great May Day is celebrated around the world every year on May 1.
In 2026, this day also reminds us of the history of workers’ contributions, struggles, and establishing rights.
Since the Industrial Revolution, workers have played an immense role in the development of the modern economy.
But sadly, in many cases, they are deprived of fair wages, safe working conditions, and social protection.
In many countries around the world, including Bangladesh, workers still face various forms of discrimination, exploitation, and insecurity.
Therefore, International Workers’ Day is not just a celebration, but a day to make a new commitment to establish and develop workers’ rights.
In this year 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO)and Concern global labor movements are focusing on ensuring a healthy psychosocial working environment, for workers, aiming to address mental and psychological health, stress, and toxic workplace cultures, which emphasizesdignity, safetyand workers well-being against upcoming challenges like AI, global warming, climate change, and hazardous employment.
Honoring workers’ history means not only remembering the struggles of the past, but also preserving the spirit of that sacrifice and movement in the present and future.
From the Industrial Revolution to the modern era, workers have continuously struggled for fair wages, humane working hours, and safe working conditions.
Even today, workers are deprived of their rights in many parts of the world, which forces us to think anew.
Ensuring fair wages is very important, because it is the basis for maintaining the basic livelihood of workers.
At the same time, it is the responsibility of every employer to ensure a safe working environment; this reduces accidents and maintains the physical and mental well-being of workers.
Raising awareness, effective law enforcement and the role of labor organizations are essential to protect workers’ rights.
To build a just society, we all need to work together, so that workers can live with dignity, security and fair opportunities.
Workers are an important part of society. Ensuring their social rights is a fundamental responsibility of a just state. Firstly, workers have the right to a dignified life.
Their work should be properly valued in society. It is often seen that workers are seen as lower-class people, which hurts their self-esteem. This mentality needs to change.
Secondly, the right to education and healthcare is essential for workers. Many working families cannot provide their children with education.
As a result, the cycle of poverty continues from generation to generation.
The state and society should provide free or low-cost education for workers’ children.
Thirdly, housing is a fundamental right. Most urban workers live in slums or unhealthy environments. Providing safe and healthy housing is very important for improving their quality of life.
Economic rights are central to the lives of workers. If their work is not properly valued, inequality increases in society and economic stability is destroyed.Fair wages are the main demand of workers.
In many cases, workers receive less than their wages for their work, which is insufficient to meet their basic needs.
The minimum wage of a country should be such that a worker can live with dignity along with his family.
Overtime pay should be mandatory.
Many organizations do not follow this rule, which is a big example of exploitation of workers.
In addition, it is essential for workers to have pensions, insurance and other social security programs.
This protection brings stability to their lives, especially in times of accident or illness.
Ensuring equal pay for equal work is very important for women workers.
Gender-based discrimination still exists in many areas, which requires strict enforcement of laws.
Ensuring the safety of workers is the moral and legal responsibility of every organization.
Workers working in factories, construction sites or mines are often at risk of accidents.
Many workers lose their lives or are permanently injured due to lack of safety equipment, lack of training and violation of rules.
Safety standards should be strictly followed in every workplace. Such as:
# Use of protective clothing, helmets and gloves
# Fire extinguishing system
# Emergency exit routes
# Regular safety training
In addition, it is very important to ensure quick medical assistance in case of an accident.
Some major industrial accidents in the past in Bangladesh have opened our eyes, but safety has not been ensured in many cases yet.
Therefore, stricter monitoring is needed in this regard.
The mental health of workers is an important but often neglected issue.
Long working hours, low wages, job insecurity, and workplace harassment increase the mental stress of workers.
This can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
To create a healthy work environment:
# Limiting working hours
# Providing adequate opportunities for rest
# Ensuring respectful behavior in the workplace
# Providing mental health support
If organizations pay attention to the mental well-being of workers, productivity will increase and employee satisfaction will increase.
Many countries have laws to protect workers. But the problem is that these laws are often not implemented properly.
An effective role must be played in protecting the rights of workers:
• Government
• Trade unions
• Employers
• Civil society
Labour unions act as the voice of workers. However, in many cases their activities are hampered.
It is important to ensure the right of workers to organize in a democratic environment.
In today’s world, the rapid development of technology is bringing about major changes in the labor market.
Many jobs are disappearing due to automation and artificial intelligence, while new jobs are being created.
To adapt to these changes, it is very important to develop the skills of workers.
They need to be helped to adapt to new technologies through training and retraining.
Otherwise, many workers will become unemployed, which will create social and economic problems.
Women workers and workers from marginalized communities are the most discriminated against their rights in work space.
Ensuring a safe working environment, maternity leave, and protection from sexual harassment is crucial for women workers.
On the other hand, special opportunities and facilities should be provided for workers with disabilities, so that they can participate equally in the workplace.
International Workers’ Day reminds us that achieving workers’ rights was not easy; it is the result of a long struggle.This day:
# Strengthens the unity of workers
# Provides an opportunity to raise new demands
# Raises awareness in society
This day is even more important in the context of 2026, as the global economy still faces many challenges.
Workers are the main driving force of a country’s development. Without them, nothing in industry, agriculture or the service sector can function. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure their rights, safety and dignity.
International Workers’ Day 2026 brings a clear message to us – we need to build a just, safe and respectful society for workers.This is possible with the combined efforts of governments, employers and people from all levels of society.
If we properly value workers and ensure their rights, it will be possible to build a prosperous, humane and sustainable society.
(The writer is a Deputy Director, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Prime Minister’s Office, Email: [email protected])
