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

The European Union unveiled plans Wednesday to ban products made with forced labour, in an effort to crack down on a modern-day form of slavery that a UN agency estimated affects more than 27 million people worldwide. The European Commission, which proposes EU laws, said the policy would remove from the 27-nation bloc’s markets all products made with forced labour. It would also stop them from being made in the world’s biggest trading bloc or shipped through it. The move does not target specific companies, industries or countries. “Our aim is to eliminate all products made with forced labour from the EU market, irrespective of where they have been made. Our ban will apply to domestic products, exports and imports alike,” commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said. The EU’s executive arm defines forced labour as a situation where a person is coerced to work through violence or intimidation, or in more indirect ways by having their debt manipulated, their identity papers stolen or being threatened with denunciation to immigration authorities. Under the plans, the commission would set up and operate a public database containing information about suspect products and practices. EU countries would designate an authority to enforce the rules, and customs officers would have responsibility for ensuring compliance at the bloc’s borders. The aim is to focus on high-risk products. Investigations would be launched if national authorities believe forced labour may have been used. Suspected cases involving bigger operators that make the most products would be the preferred target, rather than small businesses. If a product made with forced labour is already sold in the EU, the company involved would be required to pull it off the market and dispose of it. If the company refuses, it would face penalties under the law of the country it operates in. Europe’s main union umbrella organization, the European Trade Union Confederation, welcomed the plans. “Many of the people in forced labour are manufacturing goods destined for sale in Europe, so a properly enforced ban should cripple the profits of the criminals behind these violations,” ETUC Deputy General-Secretary Claes-Mikael Stahl said. The International Labour Organization estimated that in 2021 around 27.6 million people were forced to work on any given day, including 3.3 million children. Women and girls accounted for 11.8 million of that number. Textiles, mining and agriculture are among the industries most notorious for the practice. The commission’s proposal must now be debated by the EU member countries and the European Parliament. The rules would enter force two years after an agreement is concluded. Also read: 28 million victims of forced labour: report

Around 50 million people around the world are living in modern day slavery, among whom 28 million are victims of forced labour, says a report published today. The ‘Global Estimates of Modern Slavery Report 2022’, prepared by IOM, Walk Free and International Labour Organization (ILO), provides a detailed picture of how people are being forced to do certain jobs across the globe. The report makes a shocking revelation, which is that 52 percent of all forced labour can be found in upper-middle or high-income countries. According to the report, 86 percent of forced labour are in the private sector, while state-imposed forced labour accounts for 14 percent. Almost one in eight of all those in forced labour are children (3.3 million), and more than half are in commercial sexual exploitation. Read: One-in-four people do not feel valued at work: ILO The report also says that migrant workers are three times more likely to be in forced labour than non-migrant adult workers. Migrants are particularly vulnerable to forced labour and trafficking due to irregular or poorly governed migration and unfair, unethical recruitment practices. The report talks about Qatar, a gulf country which has recently obtained the reputation for labour rights violations relating to migrants working there focusing on the FIFA World Cup 2022. The report proposes a number of recommendations which, if implemented, would mark significant progress towards ending modern slavery. They include improving and enforcing laws and labour inspections, ending state-imposed forced labour, stronger measures to combat forced labour and trafficking in business and supply chains, extending social protection, and strengthening legal protections.   Read: Workers' rights, collective bargaining essential for global recovery: ILO Some other measures suggested by the report include addressing the increased risk of trafficking and forced labour for migrant workers, promoting fair and ethical recruitment, and greater support for women, girls and vulnerable individuals.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged the labour leaders not to make any complaint to foreigners against the country. “As long as Awami League or I am in power, we can assure that we can solve the problem if any here,” she said, criticizing a section of labour leaders who take their problems to foreigners. The prime minister was addressing a function marking the historic May Day from her official residence Ganobhaban through a videoconference. READ: PM: AL comes to power through election, not by back door The Labour and Employment Ministry arranged the function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre here. Hasina said her government has done a lot for the welfare of the workers. Even then there are some labour leaders who like to make complaints whenever they see any foreigner. The PM said she doesn’t know the reason for this mental poverty or whether the interest of any other is involved here. “We’ll be able to solve our own problems in the country. I would like to tell the labour leaders don’t cry before the foreigners, rather come to me if you have any problem. If there is anything (benefit) that needs to be materialized from the owners, it is me who can do it,” she said. The premier said she believes that the problem can be solved through negotiations between the owners and the workers. Today’s Bangladesh has attained food autarky and can implement 90 per cent of Annual Development Programme (ADP) with its own funds, which is a huge departure from total dependence on foreign assistance in the past. “Why will we complain to others about our own country? We don’t want it. Bangladesh will move with self-dignity,” said the PM. She stressed the need for maintaining a cordial relation between the industrial owners and the workers for the sake of development. Provide money to labour welfare fund properly: PM to the owners Noting that her government formed the fund of Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation, the prime minister said it is very unfortunate that many owners have yet to contribute their share to the fund. “I think it should be given properly. Because, when anyone falls in trouble, you have to stand beside the person,” she said, adding that it can’t be right that “you reap the benefits of their labour, but you won’t stand beside them in their bad days.” Hasina asked the owners and all others concerned to take care of the fund issue. She said her government increased the minimum monthly wage for a worker in the RMG and other sectors from Tk 1,600 to Tk 8,000 in three phases since coming to power in 2009. The PM questioned how many times the wage had been enhanced in the 21 years after 1975. “We always are sincere to ensure a safe work environment, welfare for the workers and social safety for them,” she added. She said there was no scope for formation of trade unions under the EPZ law. Since the investors used to show reluctance to make investment in case of having rights of trade union, her government formulated the law with a provision for the labour welfare organisation, changing the name of trade union, she said. Under the provision of the labour welfare organisation, now the workers can enjoy the trade union-like right there. “We ensured the system just by changing the name,” said Hasina. She said the government has taken measures to eliminate the child labour from the country. Bangladesh has gained tremendous success in eliminating the use of children in hazardous jobs, she added. Hasina said Bangladesh signed 36 conventions and protocols of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and she doesn’t know if any other country has done so much. She said none is more conscious about labour rights other than Awami League or AL government. Read: PM wishes joyous and safe Eid to all Presided over by State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian, the function was addressed by Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and Employment Ministry Mujibul Haque, Labour and Employment Secretary Ehsan-E-Elahi, ILO Country Director in Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen, President of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation Ardashir Kabir and acting president of Jatiya Sramik League Nur Kutub Alam Mannan. On behalf of the PM, Monnujan handed the cheques of financial assistance to the families of 10 workers. The May Day, also known as the International Workers' Solidarity Day, is observed across the world on May 01 every year, commemorating the historic uprising of working people in the US city of Chicago at the height of a prolonged fight for an eight-hour workday in the late nineteenth century.

Alleged malpractice by "a 25-agency syndicate" is hurting Bangladesh's prospects in the Malaysian migrant market, according to some recruiting agencies and former leaders of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruitment Agencies (BAIRA). They alleged that former secretary-general BAIRA Ruhul Amin Swapan, also the proprietor of Catharsis International, is the main leader of the syndicate. At a press conference held on Wednesday under the banner of BAIRA Anti-Syndicate Grand Alliance (BASGA) at the Jatiya Press Club, the leaders demanded that the licences of all the recruiting agencies named in the syndicate, including Swapan be revoked. Ali Haider Chowdhury, the organiser of the grand alliance and former secretary-general of BAIRA, read out a written statement while former BAIRA president Abul Bashar, former secretary general Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury Noman replied to various questions from the media. Former BAIRA vice presidents Shahadat Hossain and Abul Barkat, former finance secretary Fakhrul Islam, Recruiting Agency Unity Council President M Tipu Sultan and Secretary General Arifur Rahman were also present at the programme. The press conference was organised to brief the media about the latest development of reopening the market without any syndication and to demand that Bangladeshi migrants are to Malaysia like the way 13 other labour-exporting countries are doing. READ: Factory owners must pay workers before the Eid holidays: State Minister for Labour They also demanded the alleged syndicate leaders be taken to task. Former leaders of BAIRA demanded that Bangladesh should be allowed to send workers to Malaysia in the same process as the other 13 source countries. They sought the intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Malaysian government and all concerned to resolve the standoff.   Abul Bashar said the migration cost of workers increased several times due to 10 syndicates in the past. "If it is syndicated again, the cost will increase more. In addition, those involved in the syndicate have laundered money in various countries, including Canada in the past,” he alleged. "The Malaysian market is not opening because of their misdeeds,” he said demanding that the government cancels the licenses of those whose names appear in this syndicate. The former BAIRA president also said due to the syndicate, the migration cost of workers will increase manifold. "They will smuggle money abroad,” he said. Ali Haider said some Malaysians are trying to make Bangladesh a "money-making machine" with the help of a local clique. "Syndication will increase irregularities, corruption and immigration costs as before. Hundreds of manpower traders will be deprived. There will be anarchy in the labour market." He said Malaysia is hiring workers from 13 more source countries. In that case, it would be disgraceful for Bangladesh as an independent country to take workers from Bangladesh only through the syndicate. Shamim Ahmed said the government does not want this syndication. "The traders also do not want that now and did not want it earlier. All valid licences must have the opportunity to send workers to the country."

Leaders of BGMEA and labour rights organizations have expressed their firm willingness to continue collaboration and cooperation to maintain harmonious industrial relations for the greater interests of the RMG sector.They said years of hard work and dedication of both entrepreneurs and workers have brought the RMG industry of Bangladesh to a glorious position in the world.Maintaining sound relations between the employers and workers through effective engagement and discussions will help the apparel sector to carry forward its achievements and keep the growth momentum going, they opined. READ: BGMEA urges consul general in Hong Kong to support buyers more The observations came from a meeting held between the BGMEA leadership and labour leaders at BGMEA office in Uttara on Monday.In the meeting BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said while the apparel sector is yet to fully recover from the impacts of the Covid-19, the increase in prices of yarn, cotton, dyes, chemicals and other raw materials has pushed the production cost up.“But prices have not increased proportionately. Moreover, recent surge in Covid-19 infection in the world including some European countries has raised concerns.” READ: BGMEA seeks Germany’s support to continue duty benefits in EUIn such a critical situation, we all have to work together and be united so that our apparel industry can face all the challenges and remain competitive in the global market,” the BGMEA President added.

Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) and Unilever Consumer Care Limited (UCL) recently handed over two cheques for Tk 71.84 million respectively to the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s ‘Labour Welfare Foundation’ as its contribution to workers' share of profit.UBL’s Company Secretary and Legal Director SM Rashed Quayum and Head of Corporate Affairs, Partnerships and Communications Shamima Akhter along with UCL’s Regulatory Affairs Head and Company Secretary, Mohammad Naharul Molla handed over the cheques to State Minister for Labour and Employment Ministry Begum Mannujan Sufian at the Secretariat, according to a press release. Also read: Unilever announces two new policies for its employees, says press releaseThis fund promises to strengthen the government’s efforts to ensure the safety of workers and to help the workers and their families in case of any major disaster. Labour and Employment Sakiun Nahar Begum and Director General BLWF (Bangladesh Labor Welfare Foundation) Begum Zebunnesa Karim (Additional Secretary), were also present at the Cheque Handover Ceremony. Read Unilever Bangladesh appoints Zaved Akhtar as CEO, MD  The press release said that since the beginning of the pandemic, Unilever has taken utmost care to safeguard its people working in factories and follow the top tier global protocol of Unilever and Bangladesh Government.In addition to maintaining highest level of social distancing and mask compliance across its manufacturing operation, Unilever in Bangladesh has ensured physical barriers to ensure physical distancing in the common places like canteen and change room. Also read: Covid-19: Unilever partners with UNICEF to support BangladeshSince the beginning of COVID-19 in Bangladesh Unilever has introduced dedicated transport facility for all its employees at factories, which follow strict social distance and diligently conduct regular sanitization of these vehicles’ multiple times in a day. Apart from Unilever run immunity-boosting medical assistance programme, hygiene care kit for all employees including providing sanitization products for their homes in regular intervals and cover all employees for weekly COVID testing. Read Former Unilever chairman Kamran joins Robi as independent director For all these measures, Unilever in Bangladesh invested heavily in the last 18 months and have invested Tk 18 Crore to ensure safety of its people against COVID. Apart, as a responsible organization bears all the medical treatment costs of all its employees in this regard.