DHAKA: The historic May Day, commemorating the first triumph of the world’s working class in their epical struggles, will be observed on Thursday in the country as elsewhere across world with a pledge to establish the rights of the workers.

The May Day, also known as International Workers’ Solidarity Day, commemorates the historic uprising of working people in Chicago, USA, at the height of a prolonged fight for an eight-hour workday.

The day is a public holiday. The theme of the day is “Safe working-environment, Bangladesh to Advance.”

Tens of thousands of working people of the country along with rest of the world will join street rallies and other activities to raise their voices 

Savar tragedy will surely add fresh vigor to worker’s voice in this year’s May Day while every faction of the society marked this manmade tragic incident as a wake up bell for ensuring workers’ safety.

Trade unions and professional groups observed the day with arranging various programmes to press for improving the working conditions with better wages for the workers and job security.

In separate messages on the eve of May Day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended their sincere greetings to all working people of the world including Bangladesh.

Leader of the opposition Begum Rawshan Ershad, BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad also issued separate messages of greetings to the workers to mark the day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to attend as the chief guest at a workers rally to be held at Bhawal Badre Alam Degree College ground at 3 pm tomorrow to be organised by Gazipur district Jatiya Sramik League. The day is a public holiday.

State-run Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels and radio centres will air special programmes while the national dailies will publish special supplements highlighting on the significance of the May Day.

Different political and labour organizations, particularly the labour wings of political parties, professional bodies and cultural organizations have chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day. The programmes of the day include bringing our colourful marches, discussions and cultural functions.

On July 14 in 1889 in Paris, an international workers’ rally declared May 1 as the International Workers Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicago workers’ sacrifice and achievement and since 1890, the day has been observed globally as the International Workers Solidarity Day.

BDST: 1931, APR 30, 2014