LABOUR Day, observed on May 1, is often treated as a celebratory occasion. Yet, beyond the banners and speeches lies a hard truth: our global economy is built on the relentless work of labourers whose voices are too often ignored. From garment factories in Bangladesh to agricultural fields in Latin America, from the care sector in Europe to tech support centres in South Asia, the world as we know it would grind to a halt without their daily effort. Labour Day, therefore, is not merely an anniversary of past achievements, it is a yearly reckoning, a reminder of how much remains unfinished in the fight for worker dignity, protection and justice.
Labour has always been the engine of human advancement. The modern economy did not emerge from the boardrooms of multinationals but from the shop floors, the looms, the mines and the fields. Workers have powered revolutions, built cities, and kept vital services running through wars, pandemics and crises. Their cumulative contributions underpin the very structures that global elites now preside over. To acknowledge this is not an act of charity or sentimentality, it is a recognition of fact. Yet, despite their foundational role, workers remain among the most vulnerable in the modern system, subject to exploitation, suppression and neglect, particularly in the global south.
Fundamental rights for workers — fair pay, safe conditions, regulated working hours, freedom of association — remain elusive for millions. These are not privileges; they are the minimum conditions for a dignified existence. When these rights are denied, it is not simply a lapse in policy but an ethical failure. Equally important is the right to collective bargaining. Workers must have the legal and practical ability to organise, to negotiate and to defend their interests. These safeguards are essential not only for individual well-being but also for the stability of industries and nations. A workforce that is insecure, exhausted, or silenced cannot be the foundation of a resilient economy.
The situation becomes even more urgent when viewed through the lens of gender. Women constitute a significant and growing part of the global labour force, yet they face disproportionate discrimination. Wage inequality, lack of maternity protection, gender-based harassment and barriers to promotion are still routine. Achieving gender equity in the workplace requires more than slogans; it demands structural change. Policies must guarantee equal pay for equal work, ensure safe and inclusive work environments and actively support women’s leadership and participation at all levels. Empowering women economically is not only a matter of justice — it produces wider benefits across society, including poverty reduction, improved health outcomes, and more balanced economic growth.
Another injustice that demands urgent attention is child labour. In many parts of the world, children continue to be trapped in exploitative conditions, robbed of their education, safety and childhood. This is not merely a violation of rights; it is a systemic failure that perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. Eliminating child labour requires more than laws — it requires enforcing those laws, expanding access to quality education and addressing the root causes that push families into desperate choices. The international community is obligated to protect children and prioritise their development over profit.
The case of Bangladesh offers both a warning and a model. Its textile sector, which supplies major global brands, has been the backbone of the country’s export earnings. The success story, however, has come at a cost. Thousands of garment workers, many women, have worked in hazardous conditions for meagre wages. The 2013 Rana Plaza collapse was not a one-off tragedy, it was the inevitable result of ignoring labour rights in the name of growth. Since then, some reforms have taken place, but challenges persist. The path forward must involve not only compliance with international safety standards but also a restructuring of the industry to ensure workers are treated as stakeholders rather than expendable resources. Raising wages, improving career pathways and ensuring health protections are not only ethical imperatives but also crucial for the sector’s long-term stability.
Labour organisations and unions in Bangladesh have been central in pushing for these changes. Their role in negotiating better terms, holding employers accountable and advocating for policy reform is essential. Yet, these groups often operate under threat, intimidation, or severe legal restrictions. A democratic and fair labour market cannot exist without robust worker representation. The state, private sector and civil society must therefore work to guarantee freedom of association and support union activity. Encouraging collective worker voices is not a threat to development, it is a necessary component of it.
International frameworks and organisations such as the International Labour Organization also play a critical role. By setting global standards and offering technical guidance, they help shape national laws and labour practices. Through its conventions, the ILO champions the principles of decent work, safe employment and social justice. However, the effectiveness of these mechanisms depends on political will. Governments must not treat these commitments as symbolic gestures. They must integrate them into national development agendas and align industry practices with international obligations.
As Labour Day passes, reflection must give way to responsibility. This is not a day to romanticise struggle or deliver empty praise. It is a moment to evaluate where we stand and what must be done. Governments must legislate and enforce stronger protections. Employers must see their workforce not as a cost to be minimised but as people whose well-being determines the success of the enterprise. And societies at large must recalibrate their values to appreciate those who clean, build, serve and sustain daily life.
If we are to build a future that is genuinely inclusive, sustainable and humane, then our treatment of workers must be radically improved. We must end the race to the bottom and replace it with a race to the just. This means paying living wages, ensuring safe workplaces, eliminating forced and child labour, protecting migrant workers and addressing discrimination in all its forms. These are not revolutionary demands. They are the bare minimum a civilised society should guarantee.
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Md Sahid Alam is a final year LLB student at the World University of Bangladesh.