BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will address a May Day rally to be organized by Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal on May 1 at 2:30pm in front of the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan.
Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal, BNP’s labour unit, has been making extensive preparation to hold the massive rally marking the International Workers’ Day-2026 on May 1, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said at a press conference at the BNP’s central Nayapaltan office today.
“BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the workers’ rally as the chief guest,” said Nazrul Islam Khan who is also
Prime Minister’s Political Adviser, while announcing the details of the event.
BNP Secretary General and LGRD minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is expected to be present as the special guest and Sramik Dal President Anwar Hossain, top leaders from the party’s central and affiliated organizations will join the rally.
Nazrul Islam Khan said, “Great May Day is not merely a ceremonial day, it is a symbol of the struggle for working people’s rights.”
He further said that the sacrifices made by workers at that time to demand an eight-hour workday, fair wages, and a humane working environment continue to inspire workers worldwide. “Not just the working class, but all oppressed people around the world draw inspiration from this day,” he added.
Regarding the workers’ rally, the veteran BNP leader said, “This is a major programme, and extensive preparations have already been undertaken to make it a huge workers’ rally. Preparatory meetings started on Thursday and will continue until May 1.”
He expressed hope that this year’s rally would turn into a historic one.
Outlining the history of the labor movement, he said in 1885, workers decided to launch a comprehensive movement in May of the following year, and stemming from that, the 1886 movement earned its place in world history.
He noted that workers back then not only agitated but also took various initiatives to create social awareness. For example, workers would only use products from factories that adhered to the eight-hour workday.
“This is the power of the organized labor movement-solidarity, sacrifice, and unity,” he said.
Nazrul Islam Khan also referred to journalists as part of the working people. He said, “Those who work in newspapers, television, and online media are also workers. Their organizations are also registered under the labor law. Therefore, our call to you is to help make this glorious day for working people a success.”
Nazrul Islam Khan said, “We are organizing this programme ourselves through donations. We don’t need to go to anyone for money. This is an example of our self-reliance.”
Citing population statistics for Dhaka metropolis, Nazrul Islam Khan said, “Dhaka’s population is over 2.5 crore. A significant portion of them are working people. Yet we have only managed to organize a small fraction of them.”
Responding to a question, Nazrul Islam Khan said it is not possible to fulfill all workers’ demands at once. However, he noted that the government has adopted a pro-worker policy for their welfare.
He said, “The manifesto presented before the elections contains many positive promises for workers. However, implementation may be delayed in some cases due to the international situation, particularly the recent global conflicts.”
Nazrul Islam Khan said that the key demands for this year’s May Day will be those raised the previous year which have not yet been implemented. “No new demands; rather, our goal is the implementation of previous unfulfilled demands,” he added.
Nazrul Islam Khan further said, “We hope, by the grace of Allah, a huge number of workers will participate in this year’s rally, and it will become a memorable one.”
BNP Senior Joint General Secretary and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Sramik Dal President Anwar Hossain and General Secretary Nurul Islam Khan Nasim along with central and Mohanagar level leaders of the party and representatives from various trade unions were present at the press conference.
