May Day today

The historic May Day will be observed in the city as elsewhere across the country today with a call for establishment of the fundamental rights of the working class of people.
On this day in 1886, scores of workers were killed at Hey Market in Chicago in the United States when the workers staged demonstration demanding eight-hour working period for the working people.
Since then, the day is being observed across the globe as the day for establishment of the rights of working people.
Like other parts of the world, the day will also be observed in Bangladesh in a befitting manner with various programmes recalling the supreme sacrifices made by the workers in various national movements and their
contributions in strengthening the country’s economy.
The programmes of the day include hoisting of national, organisational and red flags, wearing of badges, holding of workers-public rallies, seminars and discussion meetings, staging of street dramas, bringing out colourful May Day marches and cultural functions.
On the eve of the day, President Md Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the leader of the opposition Begum Khaleda Zia greeted the working class of people on the occasion. They hoped for their peace, prosperity and better life in the coming days as well as success of the May Day programmes.
Jatiya Sramik League, an associate body of the ruling Awami League, will organise a grand workers-public rally at the Paltan Maidan in the city in the afternoon today to mark the May Day. Prime Minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina will attend the rally as chief guest.
The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will organise a workers-cum-public rally at the same venue in the afternoon tomorrow (Saturday). BNP chairperson and the opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia will address the rally as the chief guest.
Karmajibi Nari, an organisation for working women, organised a rally at Muktangan in the city in the afternoon yesterday marking the May Day.
The National Front of Teachers and Employees yesterday organised a discussion meeting at its Green Road office marking the May Day.
The Jute and Jute Industry Protection Committee, Khulna, formed a one-hour human-chain at the city’s Muktangan yesterday from 4-30 pm demanding protection of the jute industry and establishment of workers’ rights.
Jatiya Sramik Jote, the trade union body of the JSD (Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Inu), will organise a workers rally and bring out a march from its office at  Bangabandhu Avenue office in the city at 10 am today.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpy Goshthy along with Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union Centre will organise a workers rally followed by a cultural programmes at 5 pm at the Shaheed Minar at Nabisco crossing at Tejgaon Industrial Area.
Both the factions of Dhaka Union of Journalists will organise discussion meetings at Jatiya Press Club in the morning today.
Bangladesh Education Institution Employees Federation will bring out a march from Muktangan at 11 am. Bangladesh Garments Workers Action Council will organise a press conference at its Topkhana Road office at 11 am to press for implementation of its various demands including repeal of the Labour (Amended) Ordinance-2008 and holiday in all the mills and factories on the May Day.
Jago Bangladesh Garments Sramik Federation will bring out a workers procession from Muktangan and stage a street drama there at 9 am.
Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust will arrange a seminar at Osmani Memorial auditorium at 3 pm.  Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) will organise publication ceremony of “Sramabarta” and award giving ceremony at the same venue at 10 am tomorrow.
Dhaka Sawmills Workers Union and Bangladesh Garments and Shilpa Sramik Federation also organised rallies at Muktangan and Savar bus stand respectively in the morning in observance of the May Day.
Besides, Bangladesh Garments Sramik Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Jatiya Garments Sramik Karmachari League, Bangladesh Revolutionary Garments Workers Federation and Islami Shashantantra Sramik Andolon will also observe the day organising various programmes including workers rallies.   

Courtesy of The Independent