On the occasion of the May Day, a human chain was organized in front of the National Press Club on May 1, 2024, on the initiative of Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies-BILS. Leaders of the National Trade Union Federations expressed solidarity with the human chain. Besides, a mobile information center was set up at the venue from where researched information and awareness publications on labour rights were distributed.
BILS Vice Chairman Anwar Hossain, General Secretary of Bangladesh Sramik Federation AAM Fayez Hossain, BILS Executive Council Member Umma Hasan Jholmol, Nasrin Akhter Dina, Shamim Ara, BILS Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, Director Kohinoor Mahmood and Nazma Yesmin spoke in solidarity with the human chain.
The speakers referred to the history of the spirit and glory of the May Day and said that it is possible to develop fair industrial relations by building a truly united labour movement based on the motto of May Day and ensuring the rights of the workers through the empowerment of trade unions. They said, along with infrastructure development, the development of workers should be ensured, laws and regulations should be used optimally, occupational health and safety of workers should be ensured, especially chemical, electrical and fire safety systems in the workplace. They mentioned that in addition to ensuring the representation of the workers through the union, it is also important to empower the workers for the purpose of economic development. They also said that automation should not be placed at the expense of the workers, but efforts should be made to reduce the suffering of the workers through it. Speakers pointed out that it is possible to practice sustainable development in the industrial sector through responsible production, including reducing carbon emissions, waste management, proper use of electricity and water, encouraging the use of renewable energy, and for this, green social movements and dialogue of workers are required. Mass music and recitations were performed by BILS Cultural Group at the Mobile Information Centre.