May Day, or International Workers’ Solidarity Day, is being observed today in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the globe.

May Day commemorates demonstrations by workers in America’s Chicago in the late 1800s, as they protested for an eight-hour working day. On May 1, 1886, workers in Chicago were in the midst of a protest for an eight-hour workday — as opposed to the 12 hours many of them worked. During the protest, the police shot and killed 10 workers. In time, the workers demand was answered and the eight-hour work day was established as a norm around the world.

Bangladesh observes May Day as a public holiday. The motto for this year, is “Workers and owners united, Let’s rebuild this country anew.” It is expected that newspapers will issue special supplements and TV and radio will broadcast programmes reminding the significance of the day.

Different political parties and social groups have arranged programmes to mark the day. On May 1, 1886, the Chicago workers who struck for better working conditions were killed, but their sacrifice brought about international acceptance of the eight-hour workday. In 1889, as soon as the workers’ rally in Paris shouted the demand for International Workers’ Solidarity Day on May 1, a tribute to the Chicago workers. May 1 has been celebrated worldwide since 1890 as a day for workers to come together.

INSIDE A black May Day statement issued this year, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus relayed a message stressing the significance of May Day in establishing good relations between workers and employers. He added that National Convergence is necessary for the development and prosperity of the country.

He noted that the contributions of both workers and bosses are what moves different industries forward, including garment, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transportation and technology. He urged greater unity, mutual respect and trust to rebuild the nation.

Professor Yunus said, “I am confident that if the workers and the employers work together, the shattered dream of a prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh will become real.” He sees this partnership as a vehicle for stepping on the gas of progress in the country.