Ensuring workers' right is essential to build Smart Bangladesh: President

President Md. Sahabuddin said that in building a developed and smart Bangladesh by 2041, there is no alternative to ensure the overall rights of workers including improved working environment, good labor-employer relations, professional safety and well-being of workers. The underlying significance of the Great May Day is intimately connected with the rights, interests and welfare of the working people.

He said this in a message given on the occasion of the Great May Day today.

The President said, "'Great May Day' is a day manifested in the spirit of struggle for all the working people of the world. Like other countries of the world, Bangladesh also welcomes the initiative to celebrate the day with due dignity. The role of working people worldwide is very important in socio-economic development. Industry and labor friendly government is continuously working for the overall welfare of the workers and increasing their skills."

Md. Sahabuddin said, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has struggled for the rights of the people throughout his life. Bangabandhu gave national recognition to May Day after independence and declared May Day as a public holiday. He (Bangabandhu) set up a wage commission to ensure the fair rights of the workers and announced a new wage structure for the workers.

In 1972, under the strong leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangladesh became a member of the International Labor Organization and ratified 29 conventions, including the 6 core conventions of the ILO. This is a unique milestone in improving the quality of life and protecting the rights of working people.

He said that Bangabandhu said at the non-aligned summit held in Oligiers in 1973, "The world is divided into two parts, one side is the exploiter and the other side is the exploited - I am for the exploited." Bangabandhu dreamed of political freedom as well as economic liberation of the nation. To fulfill his dream, everyone should work together regardless of party affiliation for the development of working people. Worker-owner harmony and joint efforts to achieve this goal will further accelerate the development of the country.