NO WORKER LEFT BEHIND; RECLAIMING LABOR RIGHTS IN BANGLADESH BEYOND MAY DAY

 Image by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Every year, on May 1st, workers throughout Bangladesh march under the red solidarity flags to celebrate International Workers' Day along with the whole world. Traditionally marked with rallies, songs, and speeches, May Day commemorates the continuous struggle for decent labor, dignity, and justice. But behind the symbolism is a somber truth: for most Bangladeshi laborers, particularly those working in informal, unregulated, and emerging industries, the promises of May Day in which labor rights are adhered to still remain ineffective. In 2025, the celebration assumes an even more added meaning. At a time of political change and the unveiling of a landmark Labour Reform Commission report submitted to Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus on 21^st April 2025, the moment is opportune to revisit workers' rights not only in the factory, but throughout all areas of work; from home to cyberspace, from rural fields to distant shores and from agriculture to rickshaw pulling. May Day must become something more than a ritualistic celebration, a force for real change.

Informal Labour: The Backbone Left Behind

The Overlooked Pillar Nearly 87% of all workers in Bangladesh are in the informal sector. Such workers are agricultural wage earners, street vendors, delivery person, household helpers, and rickshaw pullers ; labor without any labor law protections. They have no minimum and fixed wage, no written terms and conditions and agreement. The Labour Reform Commission took a commendable step by recommending statutory recognition and extension of coverage for informal workers. Key proposals include a universal minimum wage, registration of workers, and protection by social security schemes. They are not legal reforms in name only but ethical necessities for a country in which most workers are without any rights.

Women Workers: The Silent Majority

The economy of Bangladesh, and notably the readymade garments (RMG) sector, rests mainly on female labour. Nonetheless, women workers face systemic issues; disparities in pay, sexual harassment, limited maternity leave, and minimal trade union representation. Fewer than 10% of union leadership seats are occupied by women, according to a recent survey. The Commission's report addresses these inequalities by calling for six-month paid maternity leave across all sectors, mandatory anti-harassment committees at work, and gender-neutral trade union laws. If implemented, all these changes would finally bring the gender aspect of workers' justice to the limelight.

Gig Economy: The New Labour Frontier

The emergence of ridesharing, delivery services, and freelance digital work has generated a new class of Bangladeshi laborers. They are freelance workers with no contracts, benefits, or legal entitlements. If one of the delivery riders gets injured while working today, there is no legislation to provide them protection or compensation. Unfortunately, the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 does not cover platform work. The Labour Reform Commission is advocating for gig workers to be covered under labor protection schemes, including official recognition, accident insurance coverage, and grievance settlement mechanisms. Neglecting this fast-growing industry might mean millions would be driven towards a vulnerable digital-age life.

Migrant Workers: Heroes Without Rights

Bangladeshi migrant workers, particularly from the Gulf and Southeast Asia, send more than $20 billion each year as remittances. Yet, their lives are plagued by abuses such as contract substitution, poor working conditions, unpaid salaries, and denial of legal aid overseas. Reforms should cover pre-departure training, open recruitment processes, bilateral protection agreements for workers, and reintegration assistance upon return. May Day should also recognize such workers as those supporting foreign economies at times at personal cost.

Constitutional and Legal Gaps

Article 15(b) and 15(d) of the Bangladeshi Constitution guarantees the right to employment, equal pay, and social security, while Article 20 demands respect for the dignity of labor. Nonetheless, these principles remain largely idealistic. The Bangladesh Labour Act must be rewritten comprehensively. The 2006 law, which was considered progressive at that time, is currently outdated considering the present realities, particularly for women, informal, migrant, and gig workers. The recent report of the Labour Reform Commission attempts to fill this gap by urging convergence towards international labour standards, including the ILO conventions.

Trade Unions: Reviving the Spirit of Solidarity

Bangladesh's trade unions have been at the forefront of defending workers' rights. However, they have been hindered by legal restrictions and political interference. The law mandates that 30% of the workers' consent is required to create a union, and registration procedures can arbitrarily be denied or delayed. The Commission suggests a reduction in thresholds for unionization, expediting the registration procedure, and providing protection to union members against employers' retaliatory measures. It also supports unionization in the informal economy; a bold step that could democratize the labor movement.

Digitalization and Social Security

For facilitating formalization of the informal workforce, the Commission recommends a National Worker Database and biometric IDs. These would serve as a portal to attract benefits such as accident insurance, maternity care, and pension schemes. Although digital inclusion is a powerful tool, it must be complemented by data privacy law, financial literacy, and transparency in implementation. Even the most robust policies fail without enforcement. Employees fear retaliation for making a complaint, and litigation is costly and time-consuming. Institutional building capacity, investing in labor inspection mechanisms, and setting up fix-it tribunals to promptly hear labor cases are crucial for translating right on paper to fact on the ground.

In conclusion, May Day began in 1886 as a fight for the eight-hour workday. Now, the fight must expand to fight for the rights of all workers—be it in a factory in Savar, a call center in Dhaka, or a construction site in Dubai. The Labour Reform Commission has left us a blueprint. But it is the government, civil society, unions, and people who must press for its enactment. May Day  must not be a day of rhetoric. It must be the beginning of a new era of labour justice.

In a nation built by workers, their rights cannot remain a fantasy. They must become reality.

Authored by Kohinoor Akter, a final year LL.B. student at American International University – Bangladesh