Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– The historic May Day was observed on Thursday throughout the country and elsewhere in the World as a mark of respect to the workers, who shed their blood for the establishment of the rights of the working class in 1886.
The last year's Savar catastrophe added fresh vigour to worker's voice in this year's May Day while every faction of the society marked this manmade tragic incident as a wake up bell for ensuring workers' safety.
Workers groups and trade unions, political parties, different government and socio-cultural-professional organisations marked the day under the theme "Safe working-environment, Bangladesh to Advance".
The day was observed across the world every year since 1886 commemorating the supreme sacrifices of workers at the Hay Market, Chicago in the United States to establish the rights of eight- hour working day and uphold the rights of working class.
Many working people sacrificed their lives on May 1, 1886 and the following days during series of movements, bomb attacks, riots and police actions on agitating workers while they were on a three-day strike at Hay Market in Chicago.
In separate messages on the eve of May Day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended their sincere greetings to all working people of the world including Bangladesh.
BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad also issued separate messages of greetings to the workers to mark the day.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a rally in Gazipur while BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will address another rally at Swahwardi Uddyan in the city to mark the day.
The day was a public holiday.
The state-run Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels and radio centres aired special programmes while the national dailies published special supplements highlighting on the significance of the May Day.
BBN/SSR/AD-01May14-2:31 pm (BST)
