Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The historic May Day was observed across the country as elsewhere in the world on Tuesday with a renewed pledge to protect the rights of workers.
The day is observed throughout the world every year since 1886 commemorating the supreme sacrifices of workers at the Hay Market in Chicago of the United States to establish the rights of eight-hour working day.
The day was a public holiday.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages greeted the working class people of the country and wished their overall welfare.
Leader of the Opposition and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also congratulated the working class people on the occasion of May Day.
Different political and labour organizations, particularly the labour wings of political parties, professional bodies and cultural organizations organized various programs to celebrate the day.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the May Day programme at Osmani Memorial auditorium Tuesday morning. The program also includes a two-day fair where 42 organizations will participate.
City streets were decorated with banners and festoons with slogans of the May Day.
The state-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and private television channels aired special programs while the national dailies brought out special supplements on the occasion.
BBN/SSR/AD-02May12-11:40 am (BST)
