May Day today

May Day, also called International Workers' Day, is being observed across Bangladesh and around the world on Friday (May 1) with due dignity, highlighting the rights and contributions of workers.

This year’s theme—“Healthy workers, productive hands, a new dawn ahead”—emphasises the importance of workers’ well-being and their role in driving economic progress.

In separate messages marking the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended greetings to workers and acknowledged their contributions to national development.

The president paid tribute to workers as the backbone of the economy, noting their tireless efforts across sectors such as industry, agriculture, and construction. He stressed that ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and social protection is essential to building a developed and inclusive nation.

The prime minister, in his message, highlighted government initiatives aimed at improving workers’ living standards, including regular wage reviews and efforts to ensure equal pay for men and women. He also referred to plans to introduce a “Probashi Card” to enhance financial security and welfare support for migrant workers.

To mark the occasion, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal has organised a large workers’ rally in the capital’s Naya Paltan area, where a significant turnout is being expected.

The prime minister is set to address the rally live for the first time, party Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan confirmed at a press conference on Thursday.

May Day traces its origins to the 1886 labor movement in Chicago, particularly the Haymarket affair, where workers demanding an eight-hour workday faced violent repression. The movement became a defining moment in the global struggle for labour rights, leading to the widespread recognition of the eight-hour workday.

The day is being marked worldwide through various programmes, honouring the sacrifices of workers and reaffirming commitments to protecting their rights and dignity.