No fair Bangladesh without fair treatment of workers: Shipbreaking labour leaders

Labour leaders today (9 May) stressed that improving the lives of workers is not just a labour issue, but a national imperative for building an equitable, discrimination-free Bangladesh.

They made the remarks at a rally, marking "May Day", in front of Baroawlia Government Primary School in Chattogram's Sitakunda area. Organised by the Shipbreaking Workers Trade Union Forum, the event brought together hundreds of shipbreaking workers to voice their demands for safer workplaces, fair wages, and labour rights.

The event was chaired by veteran labour leader and the forum's President Tapan Dutta and moderated by Member Secretary Fazlul Kabir Mintu, according to a press release.

"Without raising the living standards of workers, the dream of a just and equal Bangladesh cannot be realised," said Tapan.

Speakers from various labour organisations echoed this central theme, arguing that labour justice is foundational to national development.

They pointed out that shipbreaking, one of the most dangerous industries in the country, continues to operate without basic protections for its workers. Despite international recognition of an eight-hour workday under ILO Convention No. 1, they said, many workers in the sector are still forced into excessive hours under unsafe conditions.

"May Day was born out of the struggle for humane working hours," said Didarul Alam Chowdhury, general secretary of the National Workers Federation. "Yet today, our workers are still being denied that basic right."

Several speakers highlighted the failure to implement the minimum wage announced in 2018, calling it a violation of labour law, which requires wage revisions every five years.

"Workers are carrying the weight of an industry that thrives on their labour, yet they remain at the bottom of the economic ladder," said M Jamal Uddin, organizing secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal.

Mahbub Ul Alam Chowdhury, a member of the Safety Committee, added that without occupational health services and safer work environments, workers will continue to suffer disproportionately, perpetuating inequality in society.

Leaders from other labour groups — including the Bangladesh Metal Workers Federation, Bangladesh Free Workers Federation, Trade Union Centre, and BFTUC — called for urgent action to address these gaps.

They emphasised that labour reforms are not just about workers, but about building a more humane and fair society for all.

The program concluded with a large procession that started from Baroawlia and moved through several key sections of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway.