Historic May Day: Will a new dawn come

Today, the 139th International Workers' Day, or May Day, is being celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm and spirit. This year's theme is: "With workers and owners united efforts; Lets build this country anew."

After the events of August 5, workers in Bangladesh are once again filled with hope and dreams of a better future. On August 8, the interim government came to power, promising to rebuild the country with new commitment. As part of this, on November 17, a 10-member Labor Reform Commission was formed, led by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS).

However, despite more than 50 worker protests in the last nine months, there has been no visible improvement in workers’ living conditions, which has led to frustration among many. Still, some labour leaders and analysts believe that such a favorable environment for worker rights and welfare has not existed since the Liberation War.

All eyes are now on how the government responds to the Commission's report submitted on April 21. Labor leaders also stress the importance of continuing the steps already taken by the interim government regarding worker welfare.

Anwar Hossain, President of the pro-BNP Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal, said, “For more than a decade and a half, workers have been used but never truly helped. Even though wages have gone up slightly, real living standards have declined. Factories are shutting down due to gas and electricity shortages, and workers are being laid off every day. Thousands of workers are becoming unemployed. In reality, there has never been any economic or social security in the lives of workers.”

He added, “The situation got worse when the corrupt Hasina government closed state-run jute and sugar mills, leaving thousands of workers and their families struggling to survive with little or no food.”

He also said, “The uprising by students, workers, and the public against inequality—where many workers gave their lives—played a key role in ending Hasina's rule. Seventy-one leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal, thirty rickshaw-pullers, and countless unnamed workers and students were martyred in the people's uprising”

Nazma Akter, President of the Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, said, “If we talk about the garment sector, workplace safety has improved in recent years. But working conditions have not improved much. Union rights and collective bargaining are still limited. In fact, workers often face threats for joining unions.”

She believes the idea that cheap labor helps garment business growth needs to change. Both factory owners and the government must ensure worker rights and improve their quality of life.

Osman Ali, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation and a freedom fighter, said, “Most discussions about worker rights focus on garment workers. Occasionally, there is some discussion about transport workers. But they are often ignored. Even after many years of struggle, drivers and their assistants still don’t have formal appointment letters. Their health and basic human rights are also neglected.”

Nazma Yasmin, a director at BILS, said, “Formal workers get some benefits, but informal, agricultural, home-based, and daily wage workers are completely deprived of their rights. Governments often make promises but fail to follow through. For the first time since independence, a detailed report has been made on workers’ conditions, submitted on April 21. The government's response will show whether real change is coming after the July uprising.”

She added that the interim government must ensure the next elected government continues these efforts.

Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, the head of the Labor Reform Commission, told Views Bangladesh, *“The report aims to ensure legal protection, ID cards, income security, dignified work environments, fair living wages, and workers’ rights to a fair share of national development.”*

He also said that the report includes proposals for social security during retirement, sickness, maternity, or other hard times, and to include all workers in some form of social protection scheme.

To implement these, the report recommends restructuring labour institutions. For example, renaming the Factory and Establishment Inspection Department and Labour Department, and forming new departments focused on skill development, employment, and worker welfare.

At a press briefing today at the Secretariat, Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain said, *“Labour laws will soon be amended to protect workers' rights while balancing both worker and owner interests.”*

He said a final decision will be made after a meeting with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in June.

Regarding the Commission’s report, he added that the government will quickly implement urgent recommendations, and the rest will be addressed by the next elected government.