Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the workers and employers to play a responsible and complementary role towards each other to ensure development and prosperity of the country.
He called for resolving any problem through mutual talks without running after unreasonable foreigners.
“If a factory is built, the owner invests in it and the workers work there,” he said. With the capital of the owner and the labor of the workers, the factory runs, the production increases and the economy of the country becomes prosperous.
“Everyone has a responsibility to run an organization and in that case the owner has the responsibility on the worker and the worker has the responsibility on the owner,” she said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest at a function organized by the Ministry of Labor and Employment on the occasion of May Day celebrations.
He was virtually involved in the main event of Bangabandhu International Conference Center through video conferencing from Ganobhaban.
He said that it is the responsibility of the workers to ensure that the factories that provide for each other’s livelihoods and livelihoods are functioning well, as well as whether the workers are getting their fair wages and improving their living standards or working environment. . Only then will production increase and the owners, the country and the workers will all benefit.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that whenever the Awami League came to power, it continued its efforts to change the destiny of the workers, peasants and hardworking people of this country and to bring a smile on the faces of the miserable people of this country.
He said that the contribution of this working class is most important in the development of our country. If there is no amicable relationship between workers and employers, development will never happen.
State Minister for Labor and Employment Begum Mannujan Sufian presided over the function. President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Labor and Employment. Mujibul Haque and Tumo Patianen, Country Director of ILO in Bangladesh spoke as special guests. Acting President of Jatiya Sramik League Nur Qutb Alam Mannan spoke on behalf of the workers’ party and President of Bangladesh Employers Federation Ardashir Kabir Malik spoke on behalf of the party. Secretary of the Ministry. Elahi delivered the welcome speech.
A video on the activities of the Ministry of Labor and Employment was presented at the event.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, the State Minister for Labor and Employment also distributed checks of financial assistance of Workers Welfare Foundation among 10 working families.
Although her government has taken various effective steps to improve the living standards of the workers, the Prime Minister also criticized the tendency of some labor leaders to complain to foreigners.
“Even after all the work we have done for the workers, we see that there are some labor leaders in our country who like to complain to any foreigner or white skin,” he said.
The Prime Minister said, “I do not know why this mental cruelty, or any other interest is involved with it, I do not know.
He also mentioned that as long as the Awami League is in government and as long as he is in power as the Prime Minister, he can take steps to solve any problem of the workers inside the country.
“I believe that if there is a problem, the owners and workers of our country can sit together and solve it,” he said. So why should we go to speak or cry to others against our own country. We don’t want that either. Because, Bangladesh will continue with its self-esteem.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “I will tell those labor leaders – if you have any problem, come to me without going abroad and crying.” I will listen. If I have to collect anything from the owners, I will collect it. I can. That’s all I can say.
Referring to various steps taken by her government to increase the wages of workers and employer-worker welfare, the Prime Minister said financial assistance for higher education of workers and their children in the formal and informal sectors, permanent disability or death due to accident while working and emergency and incurable diseases. ‘Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Foundation Fund’ has been formed.
The head of government also said that it was unfortunate that many employers did not contribute money to the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation fund.
“Owners will submit what is specified here,” he said. But many do not. It is very sad. I think it should be given properly. One has to stand by him when he is in danger.
Referring to her government’s move to stop child labor, the Prime Minister said, “Our children will get education first without giving up labor.” That was our goal. We have taken steps to stop child labor. We are arranging to teach them in school, we are arranging training for them. Our policy in this regard is that there will be no child labor in Bangladesh by 2025.
“There are a few exceptions here,” he said. There are some traditional jobs that if they don’t learn from childhood then their ancestral jobs or businesses will not continue. Because, it is some education in hand pen. But that is not a risky business. No child may be used for any hazardous work. We have stopped that. But they can do the traditional training by sitting with their parents.
In this context, he gave the example that many children involved in the family weaving industry have to be involved in work from an early age.
Sheikh Hasina said, “This is the ideal of the father of the nation, this is the ideal of his government and they are working with this ideal and that golden Bangladesh of the dream of the father of the nation will one day be able to build inshallah.”
The Prime Minister congratulated all the working people on the occasion of May Day and paid tribute to the workers who sacrificed their lives at Hay Market in Chicago, USA in the year 18, saying that the workers were getting their due due for their contribution in writing this day in blood. So I want both our workers and employers to maintain good relations.
That is why the main theme of this year’s May Day – ‘Workers-Owners Unity, Assurance of Development’ has been appropriate and he hopes to move forward in the future with this theme.
