International Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day in most countries and often referred to as May Day, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement and occurs every year on May 1. Countries around the world are celebrating International Day of Workers or Labour Day today.
On this day, people across the world observe the day by conducting protest and march for the rights of workers and save them from exploitation. International Labour Day is a public holiday in many countries.
Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement in the United States in the 19th Century. In 1889, the Marxist International Socialist Congress adopted a resolution for a great international demonstration in which they demanded that the workers should not be made to work for more than 8 hours a day. After this, it became an annual event and May 1 was celebrated as Labour Day.
May Day was first celebrated on May 1, 1890, after it was declared by the first International Congress of Socialist Parties in Europe on July 14, 1889. It was declared for the workers in Paris to dedicate every year on May 1 as the 'Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity'. May 1 in Europe has historically been linked with rural traditional farmers' festivals but later May Day became associated with the modern labour movement.
In Bangladesh, Labour’s Day is a national holiday. This year the theme of the day in Bangladesh is ‘Sramik-Malik Ekata — Unnayaner Nishchayata’ means the unity of workers and employers will give the assurance of development.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Saturday issued separate messages on the occasion of the historic May Day.
In his message, the president said Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had fought for the rights of hard-working people throughout his life.
President further said that Bangabandhu was a true friend of working people and therefore, after independence, 'May Day' received state recognition and he declared May Day a public holiday.
He urged all development partners, including the government and workers-owners, to work together to ensure the welfare of the workers.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in her message that Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formulated a labor policy in 1972 with the aim of establishing a society free from exploitation.
He strengthened the country's economy and ensured the fair rights of the workers by nationalising the abandoned mills, she said.
The present Awami League led government is implementing various activities for the development and welfare of the working people of the country, she added.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has taken programmes to observe the day. The Ministry of Labour and Employment and its subordinate departments, offices, agencies and leaders of various labor organizations led by State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian will pay tributes to Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait in city's Dhanmondi Number-32 area around 10 am today.
A discussion will be organized at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) at 10 am on May 8. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join it virtually as the chief guest. State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian will preside over it.
