Ruptly
"Thousands gathered on the streets of Dhaka on Friday, marking International Workers' Day with calls for the government to enforce labour rights and improve working conditions in the country. Footage shows protest leaders addressing massive crowds of demonstrators in yellow caps. Protesters can be seen chanting, carrying banners and marching in groups. "May Day comes, May Day goes, May Day is celebrated. All governments promise to protect the rights of workers, but in my 41 years of working life, I have seen that in reality, the rights of workers have not been implemented," said protester Mizanur Rahman. Demonstrators argue that while governments offer 'verbal assurances' for better labour laws, they consistently fail to act, accusing successive administrations - including Sheikh Hasina's - of stalling on concrete measures. "11 years have passed since the assurance of implementing our pay scale, but Sheikh Hasina, the interim government and the current government have not taken any specific steps," said Mohammad Osman. "Whether the pay scale will be implemented or not has not been announced. In this way, there are only assurances in every sector, but no steps are taken in reality," he continued. Protesters said that meaningful economic progress would be impossible without addressing labour issues affecting a majority of the population. "Fulfill the just rights of workers," said Omar Faruq. "Without ensuring the rights of these 60-70 percent workers, it is never possible to build a golden Bangladesh." Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has repeatedly acknowledged the central role of workers in national development, pointing to ongoing initiatives including labour law reforms, fair wage policies, expanded social protection and improved workplace safety. He stressed the need to ensure safe working environments and stronger protections to build a more prosperous economy. This year's May Day comes amid growing pressure on the government over unresolved labour issues, including the lack of a national minimum wage framework, reported expansion of outsourcing practices, a shrinking labour market and rising unemployment among educated youth."
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