The Historic May Day will be observed in the country as elsewhere across the world on Thursday with a fresh vow to establish the rights of workers.The May Day, also known as International Workers’ Solidarity Day, commemorates the historic uprising of working people in Chicago, USA, at the height of a prolonged fight for an eight-hour workday.The day is a public holiday.Trade unions and professional groups have taken up various programmes to observe the day to press for improving the working conditions with better wages for the workers and job security.On the occasion, the Labour and Employment Ministry will arrange a discussion at Osmani Smriti Auditorium here at 10am on Thursday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present as the chief guest at the discussion to be held with State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu in the chair.At the function, the Prime Minister will receive bank cheques from seven companies as donation for Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Foundation.Prior to the discussion, the ministry will bring out a rally at 7am from Shram Bhaban, which will end in front of the Jatiya Press Club after parading Dainik Bangla intersection.The other May Day programmes are publishing supplements in national dailies and souvenirs, and decorating the city’s thoroughfares with banners and festoons inscribing with May Day slogans.Besides, two seminars will be held on May 4 at the Jatiya Press Club, also marking the May Day. State minister Mujibul Haque Chunnu will be the chief guest at the two seminars to be held at 10am and 4pm respectively.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a rally in Gazipur on Thursday afternoon on the occasion of the great May Day.Jatiya Sramik League will organise the rally at Bhawal Badre Alam Government College ground.President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages ahead of the day.In her message, the Prime Minister said the spirit of May Day will inspire the owners and workers and they will work more sincerely to boost production in factories through maintaining good relationship.The President, in a separate message, expressed his hope that the spirit of May Day will help establish workers-owners good relations and good and safe working environment for the workers.On May 1, 1886, 10 workers were killed when police opened fire on a demonstration in the US city of Chicago near Hay Market demanding an eight-hour working day instead of a 12-hour shift. On the height of agitation, the authorities had to accept the workers’ demand and the eight-hour day has been introduced universally.On July 14, 1889 in Paris, an international workers’ rally declared May 1 as the International Workers Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicago workers’ sacrifice and achievement and since 1890, the day has been observed globally as the International Workers Solidarity Day.
