“Bangabandhu’s primary concern was the liberation of the working class throughout his lifetime. “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the great architect of independent Bangladesh. Throughout his life, his thoughts centered on the emancipation of the working class. He loved the farmers, workers, and toiling masses of this country more than himself. That is why he tirelessly fought for the rights of the oppressed, deprived, and exploited laboring people throughout his life.
Bangabandhu’s primary concern: Just as he raised his voice against inequality, he was equally determined to bring smiles to the faces of the poor. Bangabandhu’s respect for working people is evident in many of his speeches. On March 26, 1975, during the Independence Day address at Suhrawardy Udyan, he told government employees:
“You do your job, but your salary is paid by the poor farmers and workers. Your household runs on their money; I ride in a car with their money. Speak to them with respect and dignity; they are the true owners.”
This speech reflects Bangabandhu’s deep compassion, empathy, and love for working people.
Only a truly labor-friendly and large-hearted statesman could proclaim that the poor working people are the rightful owners of the country. That day, Bangabandhu’s declaration ignited new inspiration among the working class of this country.
He truly believed that laborers and workers are the essential elements of production, industrial growth, and overall economic development, and that the future of the nation rests on their tireless efforts. Therefore, he said in his speech:
“My worker brothers, I have formed labor institutions. Your representatives in the industry and labor departments must sit together and make a plan. According to that plan, we must make arrangements for how we can survive.”
Rather than taking decisions on his own, Bangabandhu prioritized the input of workers to safeguard their interests, increase productivity, and ensure economic development.
Bangabandhu was not only a voice for the working people of his own country but also a voice for the oppressed and working people of the world.
In 1973, during the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Algiers, he praised the working class in his speech. He said:
“The world is divided into two—oppressors and the oppressed. I am on the side of the oppressed.”
This speech earned him a permanent place in the hearts of the world’s exploited, deprived, and oppressed working people. He knew that if the just rights of the oppressed were not established, true equality in society would never be achieved.
Bangabandhu’s respect, love, and empathy for the working class are unknown to many of today’s generation. How would they know, when after his assassination on August 15, 1975, anti-liberation forces and Pakistani collaborators conspired for 21 years to erase his name from history? Fortunately, those conspirators have now been thrown into the dustbin of history.
May 1st, International Workers’ Day, is a significant occasion to remember the labor philosophy of Bangabandhu.
On May 1, 1886, in Chicago’s Haymarket, workers sacrificed their lives demanding an 8-hour workday, establishing labor rights.
To honor the sacrifice and struggle of the laborers for their rights, May 1 is observed worldwide as “May Day,” and Bangladesh is no exception.
After independence, Bangabandhu ensured the proper observance of this day and enshrined labor rights in several articles of the newly framed Constitution.
Article 14 emphasizes the emancipation of farmers and workers. It states:
“It shall be a fundamental responsibility of the State to emancipate the toiling masses—the peasants and workers—and backward sections of the people from all forms of exploitation.”
Article 15(b) ensures the right to work and fair wages.
“The right to work, that is, the right to reasonable employment with fair wages based on the quality and quantity of work; the right to reasonable rest, recreation, and leisure.”
Article 34 prohibits forced labor:
“All forms of forced labor are prohibited and shall be punishable by law.”
Because of Bangabandhu’s genuine love and concern for laborers, labor rights received significant importance in the Constitution of independent Bangladesh.
Through Bangabandhu’s efforts, newly independent Bangladesh became a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1972.
On June 22, 1972, at the ILO Conference, Bangladesh ratified 29 conventions, including 6 core conventions, drawing global attention.
In 1973, he officially recognized May 1 as May Day and declared it a public holiday.
Even before that, in his historic 6-point movement for autonomy from Pakistani oppression, Bangabandhu inspired all classes, including workers and employees, with the promise of a just society free from exploitation.
The way Bangabandhu embraced, respected, and honored the working class is rare in history.
We must draw moral lessons from his empathy and remember that laborers are human beings too. Their sweat and toil have built this modern civilization.
His daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has carried forward her father’s legacy of labor welfare with great sincerity.
She, too, believes that national development is impossible without involving the working class in the mainstream of progress.
To this end, the Awami League-led government has implemented various programs for the welfare and improved standard of living of workers.
Following her direction, the Bangladesh Labour Act was modernized through the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act, 2018 to ensure a safe work environment, social security, and labor welfare through harmony between employers and workers.
The Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation was formed to support institutional and non-institutional workers in case of permanent disability, death, emergency treatment, critical illness, and education for their children.
Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, a central fund was created to provide financial assistance to workers in the export-oriented garment industry, and wages were increased across sectors.
The “National Labour Policy 2012” and “Bangladesh Labour Rules 2015” were introduced during the Awami League era, along with the “National Occupational Health and Safety Policy 2013” and the “National Skills Development Policy 2011.”
The National Skills Development Council was formed to promote human resource development. The Inspectorate of Factories and Establishments was upgraded to ensure compliance in industrial sectors.
The Department of Labour was also elevated for expanding and strengthening services for workers and their families.
Under Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership, 100 Special Economic Zones were planned across the country, expected to create over one million jobs.
These zones were aimed at encouraging domestic and foreign investment in a planned way. However, due to a political shift on August 5, 2024, 10 of these zones were canceled.
To ensure that women workers are not harassed or deprived of rights in the workplace, the Awami League government also initiated the construction of working women’s hostels in different areas. Equal pay for women workers and safe housing were ensured, with multi-story hostels built in Kalurghat, Chattogram, and Bandar, Narayanganj.
Even during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, the government, under the humanitarian leadership of Sheikh Hasina, stood by workers.
Through the Department of Labour, a social protection program was implemented, offering Tk 3,000 per month for three months to affected workers in the RMG, leather, and footwear industries.
Through welfare of laborers and overall national development, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has earnestly strived to fulfill her father’s dream of a prosperous, happy, and developed Bangladesh.
Even while abroad due to conspiracies, she believes that only when farmers, workers, and the common people of this land smile, will independence be truly meaningful.
And the people of this country believe that there is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina for realizing the rights and welfare of the working class and for successfully implementing pro-people programs for national development.
Writer: Manik Lal Ghosh, Former Vice-President of the Dhaka Journalists’ Union and central executive member of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League.
