Md. Mamun Hossain, Pabna

"Dear, today is not a day to play with flowers—we stand at the edge of destruction..." This line by poet Subhash Mukhopadhyay reflects the struggles and inequality faced by the working class. Global disparities between the rich and the poor continue to grow. Historically, protests and sacrifices have been essential in fighting exploitation—without which justice remains elusive.

Among the most affected by economic inequality are workers. May Day, or International Workers’ Day, commemorates their fight for rights, especially the eight-hour workday movement that began in Chicago, USA, on May 1, 1886. Now, 139 years later in 2025, this day is still being observed, yet the conditions of many transport workers remain unchanged. They continue to live in uncertainty, exposed to significant health risks.Workers claim that every year May Day comes and goes, yet their conditions do not improve. Most transport workers still do not receive fair wages. Their families survive on meager daily earnings, and many workers are unaware of their rights—a gap that exploiters take full advantage of.During a field visit to Pabna Bus Terminal, several transport workers shared their experiences. They said that despite the official work limit of 8 hours, they are often forced to work 20 to 23 hours. Promised monthly salaries, contracts, and benefits are rarely fulfilled.Shariful Islam, a worker from Sirajganj's Islam Paribahan, expressed his frustration: “May Day is celebrated every year with promises, but none of those are fulfilled. Even the hard work we do doesn’t get its due reward.”Abul Kalam, resting inside a bus due to the lack of proper facilities, stated that their routes—from Santhia to the terminal—offer little rest, food, or clean environments. As a result, many face serious health hazards.Other workers like Ashraf Hossain Robi, driver Mostafa, supervisor Rakib, laborers Hafizur Rahman and Enamul, and driver Jamal Uddin Nannu said most of them work under a commission system. After fuel and other deductions, there's hardly anything left. In case of accidents, they face public anger and threats to their lives. Despite being forced to pay regular union “welfare” fees, they rarely benefit from such collections. There's no pension or allowance post-retirement either.Long-distance driver Mukul Hossain, who drives from Pabna to Satkhira, shared that his trip takes 14–16 hours. He starts early in the morning, yet receives no overtime or formal benefits. Many drivers across the country—from Satkhira to Chattogram, Khulna, Cox’s Bazar, Barisal, Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Sylhet—echoed similar sentiments. They said most are hired on a day-wage basis, with no leave, festival bonus, or compensation if they fall sick.Transport workers blame the lack of enforcement and greedy owners for their ongoing exploitation. Experts stress that driving is a high-risk job. Lack of rest can lead to drowsiness, reduced focus, and serious accidents. According to national regulations, drivers must rest for at least 30 minutes after every 5 hours of continuous driving and work no more than 8 hours per 24-hour period. Yet these rules are routinely ignored. A Pabna to Cox’s Bazar trip may take 14–20 hours depending on traffic, and the driver often returns with minimal rest—endangering passengers, assistants, and others on the road.

Dr. Saleh Muhammad Ali, Senior Consultant at Pabna General Hospital, said that long hours behind the wheel increase stress, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Unhealthy seating conditions also cause back pain and chronic illness in older age.

Shimul Biswas, former joint secretary of the Road Transport Federation, stated that a discriminatory 2018 law harmed the transport sector. He called for reform, citing a 2008 welfare law for transport workers that was never properly implemented.

 He emphasized unity among workers across industries and said the transport sector is now more organized than ever. He believes that a workers’ awakening is near, and that the labor force will play a vital role in building a developed Bangladesh.