Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-The historic May Day was observed in Bangladesh like elsewhere in the world today with a fresh call to establish the rights of workers and free them from exploitation.
Tens of thousands of working people of the country along with rest of the world joined street rallies and other activities to raise their voices for ensuring their rights and upholding spirit of the May Day.
Worker groups and trade unions, political parties, different government and socio-cultural and professional organizations arranged various programmes to observe the day with the theme ‘Let us forge worker-owner unity and build a Sonar Bangla.’
The programmes included seminars, discussions meetings, colorful rallies and cultural functions from where the participants called for upholding labour rights and ensuring workplace safety.
On the eve of the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had issued separate messages greeting the toiling messes.
They extended their sincere greetings to all working people of the world including Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the day’s programs at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the afternoon.
A colorful rally was brought out from in front of Shrama Bhaban at RAJUK Avenue in Dhaka on Friday morning and it ended at Jatiya Press Club (JPC) after parading Dainik Bangla More and Paltan. State Minister for Labour and Employment Ministry Mujibul Haq Chunnu led the rally.
Shrama Bhaban, Bangabandhu International Conference Center, different streets and islands of the capital were decorated with banners, festoons and placards to mark the day.
The day was a public holiday.
The state owned Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes while national newspapers published special supplements highlighting significance of May Day.
Marking the day, Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik League held a discussion meeting and rally on the National Press Club premises in Dhaka.
Presided over by Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik League President M Wahiduzzaman, the programme was attended by Jatiya Sramik League President Alhaj Shukkur Ali.
Garment Sramik Trade Union Kendra brought out a procession from Mukti Bhaban at Purana Paltan in the city. Labour leader Manjurul Ahsan Khan attended the programme as chief guest.
Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) jointly organised a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club marking the historic May Day. DUJ President Altaf Mahmud presided over the discussion meeting.
Other organizations which observed May Day through various programmes include Jatiya Sramik Jote, Imarat Nirman Sramik Union, Bangladesh Sramik Karmachari Federation, Muktir Sangram Garments Sramik Federation, Bangladesh Sangrami Garment Sramik Federation, Bangladesh Journalist-Columnist Union, Jago Bangladesh Garments Sramik Federation, Jatiya Ganatantrik Sramik Federation, Gano Sanghati Oikya, Garments Sramik Trade Union, Bangladesh Shanti Parishad, Human Rights Review Society, Palli Bidyut Jatiya Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad, National People’s Sramik Party Tannery Workers Union and Jatiya Garments Sramik Karmachari Union.
The historic May Day was also celebrated in Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barisal, Rangpur, Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Mymensingh, Habiganj, Magura, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Rangamati, Bagerhat, Kurigram, Kushtia, Joypurhat and other districts in a befitting manner.
The day is observed across the world every year since 1886 commemorating the supreme sacrifice of workers at the Hay Market in the United States to establish the rights of eight-hour working day and uphold the rights of working class.
