Md. Lavlu Sheikh,  Lalmonirhat

With the theme "Workers and Employers United, Let’s Rebuild the Nation Anew", International Workers' Day was observed in Lalmonirhat through various events throughout the day.

To mark the  May Day and National Occupational Health and Safety Day, a colorful rally and discussion meeting were held. On Thursday, May 1, the District Labor Welfare Center and Lalmonirhat District Administration jointly organized a rally that started from the District Commissioner’s office and paraded through the town. After the rally, a discussion meeting was held at the conference room of the DC office. Various labor organizations also joined the rally under their respective banners and later gathered in front of the DC office.

The discussion meeting was presided over by Md. Mamunur Rashid, Assistant Director of the Regional Labor Office in Dinajpur. The chief guest was Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner H. M. Rakib Hayder. Other notable speakers included Rajib Pradhan, Deputy Director of Local Government; Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General); G. R. Sarwar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue); A. K. M. Fazlul Haque, Additional Superintendent of Police; Dr. Abdul Hakim, Civil Surgeon; and several labor union leaders. The welcome address was given by Dr. Afroza Khatun, Medical Officer of the Lalmonirhat Labor Welfare Center.

The event was attended by both employer and worker representatives as well as leaders of various labor organizations. The discussion emphasized workers’ rights, improving worker-employer relations, and ensuring a safe working environment.

In his speech, DC H. M. Rakib Hayder said, “May Day is not just a day, it is a symbol of the struggle for the just rights of working people. Through the combined efforts of workers and employers, we can build a developed and humane Bangladesh.”

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Labor Party (Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal) organized a separate rally starting from their district office, which paraded through the town and ended with a discussion at Mission Mor. District BNP President and BNP Executive Committee Organizing Secretary Principal Asadul Habib Dulu was the chief guest and speaker at the event.

Also, the Bangladesh Labor Welfare Federation’s Lalmonirhat District Branch held their own rally, led by the organization’s president, Md. Renayel Alam. Their event also concluded with a discussion meeting.

It is worth noting that on May 1, 1886, workers in Haymarket, Chicago, USA, sacrificed their lives demanding an eight-hour workday. In remembrance of their sacrifice, May 1 is observed worldwide as International Workers’ Day.

This year, alongside May Day, Bangladesh also celebrated National Occupational Health and Safety Day.

Leaders of various labor organizations, workers, and local journalists participated in the discussion, where open dialogue was held on labor law and improving worker-employer relations.