Taslima Akhter

April 24 is a date that cannot be swept under the rug.

Garment workers, earning a meagre Tk 12,500, found themselves united with the students and the public in their shared struggle against deprivation and discrimination. Over the past 15 years, every time they took to the streets to protest injustices, they were brutally silenced through violence, torture, attacks, lawsuits, and even murder. The history of the July uprising must also include the struggles and sacrifices of the working class, who are the driving force of the economy. Their voices must be represented at the national policy level.

Garment workers' bonuses and payments are either not paid on time or not at the proper rate.

The reaction of the owners to the workers' legitimate demand, however, has been totally unacceptable.

The workers protesting for a minimum wage of Tk 25,000, but those in power are concocting ways to thwart this mission.

Behind the scenes of ‘Made in Bangladesh’

This year’s May Day, now in its 136th year, follows the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence. Since our independence, the success of Bangladesh’s garments sector has featured repeatedly and prominently in national and international forums.

This song “Eight Hours”, penned by IG Blanchard and composed by Reverend Jesse H Jones, gained popularity towards the end of the 19th century, eight years before the advent of May Day. They were both residents of Boston.