On May 1st, communities worldwide honour International Workers’ Day, a profound tribute to the labour force that powers economies and shapes societies. Known commonly as May Day, this occasion serves as a solemn remembrance of the arduous battles fought by workers for their fundamental rights and acknowledges their ongoing contributions to civilisation. The Origins of International Workers' Day The roots of International Workers' Day trace back to April 21, 1856, when Australian stonemasons staged a strike in pursuit of an eight-hour workday. This act of defiance sparked a series of movements that would reshape labour rights globally. The defining moment came on May 1, 1886, with a general strike in Chicago demanding the same eight-hour workday. This escalated into the infamous Haymarket affair, a violent confrontation resulting in the deaths of several police officers and civilians after a bomb detonated during the protest. The aftermath saw severe repercussions for labour leaders and a broadened awareness of workers' rights issues, marking a pivotal moment in labour history. Read more: On eve of May Day, Fakhrul shines light on cheap labour's pitfalls. Global Recognition and Solidarity In 1889, the Second International, comprising socialist and labour parties from 20 countries, declared May 1st a day of solidarity with the Haymarket affair. From 1890 onward, May Day has been commemorated worldwide. Why Celebrate May Day? Historians regard the quest for an eight-hour workday as one of the most significant labour movements in Western history, symbolising a unified worker identity that transcended national borders. May Day has evolved to not only reflect on workers' struggles but also to emphasise the spirit of internationalism, showing solidarity among workers globally. Lessons from May Day Despite the progress achieved since the first May Day, the original goals of the movement remain partially unmet. While the eight-hour workday is widely adopted, workers worldwide still face numerous challenges requiring persistent advocacy for enhanced labour rights and broader social justice, including gender equality, racial justice, and environmental sustainability. Read more: Experts call for including workers’ security-related provisions into labour laws Rosa Luxemburg, a Marxist theorist, poignantly described May Day as an annual renewal of workers' demands against oppression, foreseeing a time when these demands would be fulfilled, leading to a celebration of past sacrifices and victories. The Current State of Labour Rights Around the world, including in Bangladesh, labour rights continue to spark intense debates, with ongoing wage disputes and inadequate working conditions. As we observe May Day, it serves as a compelling reminder of the ongoing need to advocate for and protect the rights of those who are the backbone of our economies. Final Thoughts International Workers' Day is not just a historical commemoration but a call to action. It encourages us to reflect on the progress made and the journeys still ahead in achieving fair and equitable labour practices globally. As May Day unfolds, let us renew our commitment to advancing the well-being and rights of all workers, honouring their indelible mark on our world. Read more: Severe heatwave in Khulna: Day labourers forced to work in dangerous conditions

A 32-year-old garment worker died after she was allegedly pushed off a moving bus following an argument with the helper of the bus over fare at MC Bazar in Sripur upazila of Gazipur district on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Friday night. The deceased was identified as Champa Begum, wife of Abul Kalam of Mymensingh district. Read : Dengue death toll crosses 700 in 2023 Sumon Mia, nephew of Champa, said on Friday, Champa went to her sister’s house in Nayanpur of the upazila to visit her parents. At 8:45 pm, Champa boarded a bus of ‘Taqwa Paribahan’ from Nayanpur to go to Mymensingh’s Gargaria Masterbari. Read : Death toll from Gazipur blast stands at two At one stage, she locked into an altercation with the bus helper over fare and when the bus reached MC Bazar, the helper pushed Champa off the bus, alleged Sumon. Later, she was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared her dead. Angered by the incident, local people vandalised a number of minibuses passing the area at night. Read : Two killed in Gazipur road accident Kankan Kumar, officer-in-charge of Mawna Highway Police, said they have heard about it. Police are trying to identify the bus the woman was travelling in. Action will be taken after getting complaint from the family of the deceased, said the OC.

 Three workers who were abducted by unidentified miscreants from Langadupara area in Rajasthali upazila on Monday were rescued on Wednesday night, said police.The rescued workers were Sohagh, 20, Rupok, 18 and Biswajit, 22.A group of workers, numbering 14, have been constructing a wall along Rajhasthali-Bangalhalia road in Langapara. They live at the labour shed near the road. 2 BCL leaders arrested for abduction, robbery at Dhaka College On Monday, the workers except the three went out from the labour shed around 8 pm. At one stage, 5-6 miscreants swooped on the labour shed and abducted them at gunpoint.However, no written complaint was lodged from the contractor company. Ctg boy killed after abduction for ransom; 2 arrestedAfter hearing the news from local people, police conducted a drive in the area on Tuesday and Wednesday and rescued them on Wednesday night, said Zakir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Rajasthali Police Station.

The bodies of two workers were recovered from a septic tank of an under-construction building in Uttarkhan area of the capital on Sunday. The deceased- Md Samad, 55 and Madhu Miah, 42, were from Gaibandha district. Md Safiqul Islam, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Dhaka Zone-3, said the workers got trapped inside the septic tank while opening the shuttering there around 9 am. Being informed, a team from a nearby fire station rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies from the septic tank, he said adding that the bodies were handed over to police. The cause of the death of the workers could not be known immediately, he added.  

A stone quarry worker who was shot and injured allegedly by the members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Korotoa River at Bagulahagi in Tetulia upazila, died on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Palash Hossain, 35, son of Abdur Rahman of Bagulahagi village. Lieutenant Colonel Zubayed Hasan, commanding officer of BGB-15, said Palash along with some other Bangladeshi nationals were collecting stones from the Korotoa River at noon. At one stage, the BSF members from Gingrich camp opened fire on them, leaving Palash injured. Later, he was taken to Panchagarh Modern Hospital from where he was sent to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital for better treatment. But later at night, he succumbed to his injuries at the Rangpur Medical College and Hospital. However, BGB members sent a letter to BSF protesting the incident.

Two farm workers were dead and 12 people were injured as a truck carrying them fell into a roadside ditch after overturning on Khulna-Satkhira highway in Tala upazila of Satkhira early this morning (May 16, 2023), said police. The deceased -- Suman Hossain, 35, and Abul Hossain, 46 -- were residents of Shyamnagar upazila in the district. Of the injured, only three could be identified: Farida Khatun, Arafat Hossain Mithu and Eshar Ali. Taposh Kumar Das, who also sustained injuries in the accident and received treatment from Satkhira Sadar Hospital, said a total of 24 workers including him went to Shariatpur for harvesting paddy a few days back. On Monday night, all the workers were returning home on a truck loaded with paddy as they got those as wages, he said. The accident happened around 5:15 am when the truck fell into the roadside ditch after overturning in front of Kumira Women's College on the highway, he said, adding that the helper was driving the vehicle despite their objection. Shawkat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Khulna-Satkhira highway police station, said the accident left Suman dead on the spot and 13 others critically injured. On information, members of a nearby fire station rushed to the spot, recovered the body from beneath the truck, and sent the injured to several hospitals including the Sadar Hospital, he said. Injured Abul Hossain succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, the OC said, adding that the truck was seized but its driver and helper managed to flee. Ten workers who sustained minor injuries returned home later, the police officer added.  

A total of 1034 workers died in workplace accidents while 1,037 others were injured across Bangladesh in 2022, a new report said on Monday. The report by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), however, said that the incidents of casualties decreased by 2 percent last year compared with 2021.  It said a total of 135 workers died due to ‘repression” at work, and 155 others were injured. There were 196 incidents of workers’ unrest, and of them 115 were in the apparel sector, the report said. Also Read: Workplace accidents killed 538 workers in 2021 The BILS has prepared the survey report based on reports published in different newspapers in 2022. According to the report, 499 casualties or 48 percent of the deaths, happened in the transport sector, which is the highest in a single-sector count.  

A 32-old-worker died in a gas cylinder explosion at rod manufacturing organization BSRM in Mirsarai upazila of the district on Tuesday. The deceased—Sokel Ahmed, was son of Suruj Miah of Ishwarganj upazila of Mymensingh. Co-workers said the blast happened suddenly in the afternoon when they were working at scrap yard of the BSRM in Sonaphara area under Jorajganj police station of the upazila, leaving him critically injured. Read more: Two die a week after Sylhet gas cylinder blast At first he was rushed to Mirsarai Upazila Health Complex and from where he was shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) with life-threatening injuries. Sokel succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the CMCH, they said. Jahed Hossain, officer-in-charge of Jorajganj police station, said they would hand over the body to the family upon completion of legal procedures. Delwar Hossain Mollah, manager (admin) Of Mirsarai unit of the BSRM, said Sokel was not their employee but he was assigned by contactor firm ‘Hajera Enterprise’. Compensation will be given to the victim’s family after discussing with the contactor firm, he added.

A 20-year-old construction worker died after falling off an under-construction building in Shantibagh area of the capital on Sunday morning. The deceased was identified as Md Khalid Hasan of Rangpur district. Khalid accidentally slipped and fell from the rooftop of the 11 storied building around 11am, said his co-worker Zahidul Islam. Read more: Construction worker dies after falling off building in Dhaka Later, he was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him dead on arrival, said Inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH Police Outpost. The body has been kept at the hospital morgue, he added.

A worker died and two others sustained burn injuries as a gas cylinder exploded at a dockyard in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Nuruzzaman, a resident of Dohar of Dhaka and the injured were Shahidul and Yunus Mia. The gas cylinder exploded at Shanghai-8 ship at King Fisher Dockyard in Darikandi area around 10 am, leaving three workers of a ship severely injured, said Rupganj Police Station Sub-Assistant Inspector Shahidul Islam Khan. Read more: Two die a week after Sylhet gas cylinder blast The injured were rushed to US Bangla Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared Nuruzzaman dead, he added. The body has been sent to Sadar General Hospital morgue.