Staff Reporter :
The historic May Day was observed across the country like elsewhere in the world on Sunday with the pledge to strive for workers’ rights, and to free them from exploitation and deprivation.
Marking the day, thousands of working people joined street rallies and other activities to raise their voices for ensuring their basic rights. Leaders of different organizations demanded fixation of minimum wage at Tk 10,000, right of trade union activities, ensuring safety of workplace and free housing and medical facilities.
On May 1, 1886, ten 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 12 hours. At the height of agitation, the authorities had to accept the workers’ demand and the eight-hour day was 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. Since 1890, the day has been observed globally as the International Workers Solidarity Day.
In Bangladesh, the day was a public holiday. All offices, banks, industries and factories remained closed.
On the day, different worker groups and trade unions, political parties, different government and socio-cultural and professional organizations arranged various programmes including seminars, discussion meetings, colourful rallies and cultural functions. The Labour and Employment Ministry observed the day with various programmes. The main programme of the day was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A colourful rally was brought out from Dainik Bangla crossing by the Labour and Employment Ministry led by State Minister Md Mujibul Haq Chunnu and it was ended at Jatiya Press Club [JPC].
Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation brought out a procession from the Jatiya Press Club inaugurated by Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal [Jasad] held a rally in front of its central office at Bangabandhu Avenue. Information Minister and organization president Hasanul Haq Inu addressed the rally, as chief guest.
Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad [SKOP] held a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club. Jatiya Sramik League President Shukur Mahmud presided over the rally, while SKOP coordinator and Jatiya Sramik Federation President Kamrul Ahsan read out a declaration.
Trade unions and professional groups also observed various programmes. A colourful rally was brought out by workers in the evening. A cultural function organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy was held later.
Garment Workers Trade Union Centre arranged separate rallies at Nabisco Shaheed Minar in Tejgaon Industrial Area and Aftab Nagar in Rampura of the capital marking the day.
Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha and Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik Jote chalked out different programmes in the capital and different places of the country. Bangladesh Communist Party [CPB] arranged a rally in the capital on the occasion.
Islamic Foundation held a discussion meeting and milad mahfil in observance of the day.
Jatiya Party held a rally at its Kakrail office where party Chairman Hussain Muhammad Ershad was present as chief guest.
Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists [BFUJ] and Dhaka Union of Journalists [DUJ] jointly organised a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.
BNP chief Khaleda Zia addressed a rally by her party’s labour affiliate at the Suhrawardy Udyan Sunday afternoon.
Other organizations which observed the May Day through various programmes include Communist Party of Bangladesh, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Sramik Jote, Garments Sramik Federation, Gano Sanghati Oikya, Garments Sramik Trade Union and workers Federation.
