Great May Day Today

Today is May Day, an unforgettable day in the historical struggle for workers' rights. On May 1, 1886, workers at the Haymarket in Chicago, USA, sacrificed their lives to demand an eight-hour workday.

In memory of that sacrifice, this day is observed annually across the globe as International Workers' Day. In various countries, including Bangladesh, the day is regarded not merely as a formality but as a day of renewed commitment to establishing workers' rights.

Bangladesh is set to observe the historic May Day 2026 at the state level. The theme for this year is "Healthy Workers, Busy Hands, Will Bring a New Dawn."

To mark the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin will speak as the chief guest at a discussion organized by the Ministry of Labor and Employment at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center at 10:00 AM. The meeting will be presided over by the concerned Minister, Ariful Haque Chowdhury.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will speak as the chief guest at a workers' rally organized by the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal in front of the BNP central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan stated that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with top national and labor leaders, will also address the gathering. The party expects an attendance of over one hundred thousand working-class people at this rally.

May 1 will be observed as a public holiday in more than 80 countries worldwide. In Bangladesh, alongside the public holiday, the day will be observed with great importance and solemnity through various programs.

Furthermore, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages yesterday, Thursday, on the occasion of May Day and National Occupational Health and Safety Day 2026. In his message, the President noted that Shahid President Ziaur Rahman took various breakthrough steps to establish workers' rights and ensure their welfare. On the other hand, the Prime Minister stated that Shahid Zia took numerous revolutionary measures while keeping the welfare of working people in mind. President Shahabuddin added that May Day remains a glorious day for establishing the rights of working people worldwide.

In his message, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated, “On this day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all the working brothers and sisters of Bangladesh, both at home and abroad, who are engaged in labor for their livelihood and, above all, for the development of the nation. The working class is the primary pillar of any country's development, prosperity, and progress. It is through the relentless hard work of laborers that industry, agriculture, infrastructure, and a robust economy are built. Therefore, improving their standard of living, ensuring fair rights, creating a safe working environment, and establishing their social dignity are the foremost commitments of the current democratic government. I believe that positive changes in the lives of working people can be ensured through labor-friendly policies, the expansion of employment, and welfare initiatives.”

To provide context, the history of May Day began in 1886 with the historic labor movement in Chicago, USA. Following the Industrial Revolution, workers were forced to work 10 to 16 hours a day. In response, workers organized to demand an 8-hour workday. On May 1 of that year, strikes and protests broke out across the country, with Chicago as the epicenter.

In the course of the movement, the Haymarket Square bombing and subsequent police firing on May 4 resulted in several deaths and numerous injuries. Later, the execution of several labor leaders following a controversial trial sparked worldwide protests and became a significant milestone in the history of the labor movement.

Subsequently, in 1889, the Second International Workers' Conference decided to observe May 1 as International Workers' Day. Since then, the day has been celebrated globally as a symbol of workers' rights and justice.