The historic May Day was observed across the country on Friday amid limted arrangements due to the ongoing nationwide shutdown following coronavirus spread in the country.
During this current situation, the working class people are the ones suffering the most due to unemployment. As the factories and industries are closed down for the fear of coronavirus transmission the workers are left at home without job, money and food. The workers’ rights must be ensured taking lessons from the May Day.
In Chattogram, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation AJM Nasir Uddin distributed Iftar and Seheri items from his personal funds among 350 workers and employees of Chattogram City unit of Bangladesh Labor Federation (BLF) at Kazir Dewri Bazar, reports our Staff Correspondent form Ctg.
He said, the May Day is a day to establish workers' rights. There is a bloody history behind this day. This day witnessed a unique struggle for the rights of working people against deprivation in the workplace.
He also said the closure of factories due to corona virus spread has put the working class people of the country, including industries and institutions in a deep crisis. The government has taken all possible measures including conducting relief distribution by staying at the side of the people in this corona situation.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced an incentive of Tk 5,000 crore to pay the salaries of the country's export workers to fight the after effects of corona virus.
The mayor hopes that the government will succeed in the fight against the corona virus. He said different countries are completely or partially locked down. As a result, 81 percent of the world's labor force is now unemployed. The industries has been closed in Bangladesh for about a month and a half.
He called upon the government as well as the rich people of the society to come forward to stand by the hard working people of the city who earns their livelihood by working daily.
Bangladesh Labor Federation President Anwar Hossain, Vice President Shah Alam Hawlader and others were present at the time.
In Rajshahi, General Secretary of Workers' Party of Bangladesh Fazley Hossain Badsha, MP, has said that the rights of workers should be ensured within the state framework. It is time to give attention to the workers who have been deprived from getting their rights for ages. Now, it is the high-time to stand beside those workers helpless under this Coronavirus pandemic, report our Regional Correspondent, Rajshahi
Fazley Hossain Badsha was speaking before hoisting of the party flag at a function held by maintaining social distance at Zero Point of Shaheb Bazaar in observance of historical May day on Firday noon. Badsha called upon all generous people, state and private organisations of the country, to stand beside the toiling- day labourers and poor people.
He emphasised for giving priority to the rights of survival of the people rather than preferring the interest of liberal trade and business. He mentioned, the Constitution the country says People are the owners of the State.
The present Covid-19 crisis teaches us the lesson that matrialistic, liberal Capitalism can not the saviour of our people. he added, the liberal Capitalism has bluffed our labourers, teeming, tortured people of the world for several decades. Now, we require social rights and the equal distributions of income. The rights of education and health must be ensured by the state.
The May Day programm was attended, among others, by WP Rajshahi unit GS Debashish Pramanik Debu, Members-Entazul Haque Babu, Sirajur Rahman Khan, Abdul Matin, Nazmul Karim Apu and Sitanath Bonik.
It is learnt, due to Coronvirus situation, the May Day programme was observed briefly in by the WP leaders and workers in Rajshahi this year.
