Nusrat Sultana

Every year on May 1st, the world takes a moment to recognise its workforce, which is essential to both national progress and economic success. It honours the historic struggles and victories of labour movements around the world and is also known as International
Workers' Day or May Day. The significance of the day is even greater for Bangladesh, a
nation whose labour force is integral to its economy. One of the standout sectors in Bangladesh is the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) industry.Employing around 4.2 million workers, of whom over 80% are women, this sector contributes over 80% of the country’s export earnings. Yet, despite its global success, the average monthly wage in this sector hovers around Tk 12,500 (as of 2024), which is below
the estimated living wage in many urban areas. The informal sector includes day laborers, domestic workers, small vendors, transport
workers, and countless others who form the unnoticed pillars of urban and rural life.According to ILO estimates, over 85% of Bangladesh’s employed population works in informal settings, lacking access to social protections such as health insurance, job security,
or pension benefits.Furthermore, many workers in this category face occupational hazards without legal safeguards. Construction workers, for example, suffer high injury rates, with the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) reporting frequent deaths and disabilities, often without adequate compensation.
Bangladesh is experiencing a youth bulge, with a median age of just under 28 years.However, youth unemployment remains a critical concern. As of 2023, 11.5% of youth aged15-24 were unemployed—higher than the national average. A skills mismatch in education
and limited industrial diversification contribute to this stagnation. The government's Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP) and other vocational initiatives have made strides, but scalability and inclusivity remain ongoing challenges. Migrant workers play a vital role in the national economy. Over 10 million Bangladeshis work abroad, sending home more than USD 21 billion in remittances annually. However,these workers often endure harsh conditions and lack proper legal protection. Many return home with health issues, unpaid wages, or mental trauma, having contributed significantly to the GDP but gained little personal security. Bangladesh has ratified several ILO conventions and instituted labor laws, such as the Bangladesh Labour Act (2006), amended in 2018. Yet, implementation remains inconsistent. Trade union rights are still restricted in Export Processing Zones (EPZs), and unionization efforts frequently face resistance.Concerns about gender equity in the workplace, workplace safety (particularly in light of the Rana Plaza reforms), and minimum wage adjustment are still urgent. Symbolism alone will not adequately honour the hands that built the nation. A long-term policy framework is required in Bangladesh to: Provide universal social security for unorganised labourers encourages respectable working conditions in all industries. Invests in vocational training and technical education defends the freedom to band together and engage in collective bargaining adjusts minimum salaries to reflect the cost of living. At last, we all have to know that “May Day” is more than just a day for marches and catchphrases; it is a call to action for employers, governments, and society at large, as well as a reminder of the battles that have moulded workers' rights. Millions of people work silently in Bangladesh, and their sweat powers the country development. The real meaning of honouring the hands that construct the country is to recognise their value with justice,
fairness, and decency.

The writer is a student, Department of Sociology, University of Chittagong.