Desk Report:
Labor and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said that government-employer-worker teamwork will continue to resolve labor and labor-related problems and expand opportunities in the labor sector.
The minister said these things while presiding over a discussion meeting organized by the Ministry of Labor and Employment at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center on Friday (May 1, 2026) to celebrate May Day 2026. President Md. Shahabuddin was present as the chief guest at the meeting.
The minister said that the state ideology of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and national leader late Begum Khaleda Zia was based on the welfare of the working people and building a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. The current government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has also taken various plans to protect the rights of the working people, ensure healthcare and security, and create a decent working environment.
The Minister further said that due to the well-thought-out advice of the Prime Minister and the provision and implementation of necessary policy support, it was possible to keep the overall labor situation in the country normal and stable on the eve of the last Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. As salaries, bonuses and due leave were ensured before Eid, the working brothers and sisters returned home safely and enjoyed the joy. Necessary initiatives have already been taken with all concerned in preparation for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. This step can be implemented positively if the sincere goodwill and constructive cooperation of the workers and the owners are received.
In the middle of the meeting, a check of Tk 2 lakh was handed over by the Workers’ Welfare Foundation as compensation to each family of the 13 workers who died in the fire at the Mirpur Chemical Godown.
Earlier, a colorful rally was organized at 8 am to celebrate the great May Day. Led by the Labor Minister, the rally, decorated with horse-drawn carriages and a band party, started from the South Plaza of the Parliament Building and ended at the main gate of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.
The discussion meeting was attended by special guests including Prime Minister’s Political Advisor Nazrul Islam Khan, Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, Labor Secretary Md. Abdur Rahman Talukder, ILO Country Director Max Tunon, Bangladesh Employers Federation President Fazle Shamim Ehsan, and Bangladesh Nationalist Labor Party President Anwar Hossain, along with members of parliament, senior officials of various ministries, and invited guests and workers from factory owners and labor parties.
