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Historic May Day or International Workers' Solidarity Day is being observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the globe on Wednesday, commemorating the historic uprising of working people in Chicago, USA.
The government, trade unions and labour organisations organized different programmes, including discussions, rallies and processions, to mark the day, which is a public holiday.
On May 1, 1886, 10 workers were killed when police opened fire on a demonstration in the US city of Chicago near Hay Market organized to press their demand for limiting the daily working shift to eight hours from 12 hours.
At the height of the agitation, the authorities accepted the workers' demand and the eight-hour shift was introduced universally.
Later on July 14, 1889, an international workers' rally in Paris declared May 1 as the International Workers' Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicago workers' sacrifice and achievement.
Newspapers in Bangladesh have published special supplements while radio and television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
The Labour and Employment Ministry held a discussion at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital at 11 am in observance of the day.
Speaking at the discussion as the chief guest, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the mill and factory owners to pay special attention to the labourers' welfare cutting some luxury in their lives.
Cheques were distributed among financially disadvantaged workers from the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation during the programme.
Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, the labour wing of the BNP, held a rally in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office in the capital in the afternoon to mark May Day.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the working-class people of the country.
In his message, the President said an investment-friendly environment, concentration of workers and cordial relations between workers and owners would have to be ensured to build a sustainable industrial and trade sector.
In her message, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the workers and owners, inspired by the ideals of May Day, would be dedicated to increasing national production by maintaining good relations among them.