May Day being observed

Published : 01 May 2020, 13:34

Jagoroniya Desk

The historic May Day is being observed today in the country as elsewhere in the world with a pledge to establish rights of workers.

The day commemorates the historic uprising of workers in Chicago of the USA at the height of a prolonged fight for an eight-hour workday.

The day is a public holiday. All public and private offices and mills and factories will remain closed on the occasion.

Marking the day, trade unions and professional groups used to chalk up various programmes to press for improving the working conditions with better wages for workers and their job security.

But, no government or private programmes have been arranged this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on this occasion.

On May 1, 1886, 10 workers were killed when police opened fire on a demonstration near Hay Market in Chicago city, demanding an eight-hour workday, instead of 12-hour shift.

On the height of agitation, the authorities had to accept the workers’ demand and the eight working hours has been introduced universally.

On July 14, 1889 in Paris, an international workers’ rally declared May 1 as the International Workers Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicago workers’ sacrifice and achievement.

Since 1890, the day has been observed globally as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day.

Source: Daily Sun

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