MAY Day celebrations began following the martyrdom of a number of workers at Haymarket Square of Chicago in the United States on May 4, 1886. The martyrdom took place as the police fired into a peaceful rally of workers that had been organised in support of the apparel workers striking for an eight-hour work day. A slogan was then very popular, especially among US workers: eight hours’ labour, eight hours’ recreation and eight hours’ rest. Employers having predilections for maximum profits by maximising the output in factories forced workers to work even for days at a stretch that time. Overall, the original spirit of May Day was to allow workers adequate rest and recreation which is essential for people to revitalise themselves. Regrettably, however, when the day is celebrated today, as is in many other countries, there are scores of sectors where workers have to spend even 17–18 hours at work every day just to help the employers line their pockets. Reports have it that workers and employees of many hotels, restaurants and shopping malls in different parts of the country, including the capital, have to work on May Day although it is traditionally a public holiday.
It is true that as a result of long labour movement, many organised sectors that are governed by the labour law make extra payments for making their workers work beyond the stipulated time. But it is also true that many of the employers allegedly fail to comply with Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 provisions that concern overtime pay in particular. Not only that, even the law itself stipulates a 10-hour work day for workers and employees flouting the May Day spirit, that too amidst worker protests. Meanwhile, when it comes to the informal industrial sector that involves over 95 per cent of the country’s industrial units, the situation is much worse as the workers here still remain out of the labour law coverage despite growing demands from various quarters. Just a few days ago, speakers, including even people responsible for inspecting factories and establishments, at a workshop hosted by the labour and employment ministry in Dhaka painted a horrific picture about occupational diseases and health in the industrial sector as a whole. What is more unfortunate is that all this prevails in violation of the labour law amidst the government’s indifference to worker interests. The government is also yet to ensure decent wages for workers in many sectors, including even public sector enterprises.
In fact, as long as the celebrations of International Workers’ Day will remain limited to only organising colourful rallies, processions and seminars with hollow words, the hope for changes in the scenario is impossible. In other words, the situation demands a vibrant labour movement covering all sectors under a strong leadership committed to a radical change in the existing socio-economic system. It is expected that this year’s May Day will inspire workers at large to struggle to this end.
