WE just observed the great May Day with due fervour and festivity. Sadly, we talk about workers and their rights when the historic May Day arrives but conveniently forget about them as time goes by. Hundreds of thousands of workers in Bangladesh are still deprived of their rights. Rana Plaza victims are yet to get their due compensation. In the public sector, workers' wages and working hours are guaranteed, but many workers in the private sector are deprived of fair wages. Although the work culture of the country's garment sector is somewhat improved after the Rana Plaza tragedy, but it is yet nowhere near the desired standard. The environment of other sectors is outdated, unfair and risky.
On May 1, 1886, the workers in the United States of America laid down their lives demanding eight working hours a day. The historic day is celebrated throughout the world to increase solidarity among the working people and fight against exploitation and deprivation. A lot of change has taken place after the historic May Day, there are a lot more to be done particularly in the area of safe work place and peaceful work environment, medicare facilities and other amenities. It is necessary to ensure the basic right of minimum wages for workers along with amenities required to lead a humble life.Â
Faisal Hossain
Uttara, Dhaka
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