President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Friday urged all concerned to ensure dignity, safety, equal wages and a secure work environment for female workers as it is both a moral and humanitarian responsibility.
"It is necessary to build a humane workplace culture ensuring maternity leave, equal pay for equal work. I hope all concerned stakeholders will take necessary measures on a priority basis to implement the government’s initiatives and directives in the labour sector and ensure their effective execution,” he said.
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Speaking at a programme marking “Great May Day and National Occupational Health and Safety Day 2026” in Dhaka, the President paid tribute to workers across the world and described May Day as a historic symbol of sacrifice, solidarity and the struggle for labour rights.
He also underscored the need for protecting workers’ rights, dignity and welfare, saying collective efforts are needed to build a humane, inclusive and sustainable state through ensuring safe and decent working conditions for labourers.
He recalled the sacrifice of workers killed during the labour movement in Chicago in 1886 while demanding an eight-hour workday, saying their struggle opened a new chapter in establishing the dignity and rights of working people worldwide.
The President also paid homage to workers who were killed, injured or persecuted during Bangladesh’s Liberation War, labour rights movements and the July mass uprising.
Highlighting the contribution of workers to the country’s development, he said labourers are the key driving force behind Bangladesh’s economy and progress.
He said workers in industries, agriculture, transport, construction and domestic services continue to strengthen the country’s economy through their relentless efforts, while remittances sent by migrant workers and export earnings generated by garment workers remain vital pillars of the national economy.
The President remembered former president Ziaur Rahman for his contributions to labour welfare, saying he introduced significant labour reforms and strengthened labour welfare through a tripartite labour policy.
He said the establishment of the Ministry of Manpower in 1976 and initiatives to send Bangladeshi workers to 33 countries, including those in the Middle East, created a new era of foreign currency inflow through overseas employment.
The President also mentioned that former prime minister Khaleda Zia expanded labour welfare initiatives through the formulation of the Labour Act 2006 and the establishment of the Labour Welfare Foundation.
He said the current government has undertaken various initiatives to ensure workers’ welfare, protect labour rights and establish safe and decent working environments.
According to him, the government has already started implementing labour welfare programmes, including reopening closed state-owned sugar mills, silk factories, jute mills and other industrial establishments to create employment opportunities.
He said six jute mills would be reopened in phases within the next six months.
Emphasising the importance of healthy industrial relations, the President said mutual trust, cooperation and harmony between workers and employers are essential for increasing productivity and ensuring sustainable industrialisation.
He stressed the need to encourage trade union activities and said workers’ rights must not be undermined under any circumstances.
The President also urged workers to remain cautious against attempts by vested groups to create labour unrest.
Referring to legal reforms, he said the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act 2026 has been passed in line with international labour standards to further strengthen workers’ rights and protections.
He also noted that Bangladesh has ratified 39 conventions and one protocol of the International Labour Organization to improve labour standards.
The President expressed sorrow over the deaths of 13 workers in a recent fire at a chemical warehouse in Rupnagar, Mirpur, and said financial assistance had been provided to the victims’ families.
He called for coordinated inspections in factories, industries and commercial establishments to prevent workplace accidents and ensure occupational safety.
The President urged the relevant ministries, departments and organisations, including Bangladesh Employers’ Federation, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, to work together to address safety shortcomings and ensure compliance in industrial establishments.
Referring to this year’s May Day theme — “Healthy workers, productive hands, a new dawn for all” — he said the message reflects the importance of workers’ physical and mental wellbeing in achieving national prosperity and economic progress.
Among others, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, adviser to the Prime Minister Nazrul Islam Khan, labour affairs adviser Mahdi Amin and ILO Bangladesh country director Max Tunon attended the programme.