Historic May Day and National Occupational Health and Safety Day were observed in Khulna today. Photo: BSS

KHULNA, May 1, 2026 (BSS) - Historic May Day and National Occupational Health and Safety Day were observed in Khulna today with due dignity under the theme "Healthy Workers, Productive Hands, A New Dawn Awaits". 

A discussion meeting marking the day was held in the morning at the Khulna Shilpakala Academy auditorium, highlighting the significance of May Day and the importance of ensuring workers' rights.

Speakers at the event said workers play a vital role in driving the country's economy forward and keeping production and services active. They stressed the need to ensure fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, and social dignity for workers.

They said workers should be treated as human beings rather than machines, and called for humane treatment in all workplaces. 

The speakers also emphasized securing workers' legitimate rights in line with moral and religious values, noting that sustainable development cannot be achieved if workers' welfare is ignored.

Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Abu Sayeed Md Monjur Alam, Additional Police Commissioner Mohammad Rashidul Islam Khan, Additional Range DIG Sheikh Zaynuddin, Khulna city BNP President Advocate Shafiqul Alam Mona, and Civil Surgeon Dr Mosammat Mahfuza Khatun addressed the programme as special guests.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Director of the Local Government Department under the district administration Md Ariful Islam, while Director of the Labour Department Md Hafez Ahmad Majumder delivered the welcome speech.

Representing employers, BJA Chairman Khandaker Alamgir Kabir and Senior Vice-President of Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association Md Tarikul Islam Zahir spoke on the occasion. 

From the workers' side, city Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Convener Md Mujibur Rahman and Khalishpur regional committee Convener Abu Daud Din Mohammad also addressed the meeting.

The programme was jointly organised by the district administration, divisional labour department, and the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments.

After the discussion, cheques totaling Taka 41.35 lakh were distributed among 140 workers and their family members from various formal and informal sectors in Khalishpur, Daulatpur, Khan Jahan Ali, and Aranghata police station areas under the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation.

Earlier in the day, a colourful procession led by Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun began from the Khulna Railway Station premises and marched through different city roads before ending at the Shilpakala Academy.

Government and private officials, workers, employers, trade union leaders, and people from various professions took part in the procession. 

Several trade unions, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal and Khulna Metropolitan Journalists Union, also organised separate programmes to mark the day.