The morning light has just begun to shine. In the meantime, the sidewalk in front of the modern Chalk Super Market of Chattogram City's Chalk Bazaar is filled with people. They are 200-250 in number. Their identity is workers, more specifically, day laborers. Some are construction workers, some do furniture work, some move household goods.

As soon as someone came, the group of workers ran around from their seats, and kept shouting tirelessly, 'Brother/Sir buys me...!' This is the picture of last Monday morning, two days before May Day. But not only this day, have people sat in this market to sell every day. This has been going on for at least 50 years.

At home there are six boys and girls and me and my wife. At this time, you can understand the hardships of a family of eight. So I came here before dawn in the hope of being sold.'-Abdur Rahim suddenly stopped while speaking. The middle-aged man's mouth did not come out even if he asked the question 'then'. There is a lump in the throat. After a while, he started saying with damp eyes, 'If I don't sell, the wife and children won't have enough rice in their stomachs. So come every day no matter how bad the body is. Sometimes I get regular work, sometimes I don't.

While talking, a man came and wanted to take Abdur Rahim for construction work. At the end of the bargain, a happy smile is on the face as soon as it is 'sold'. Before leaving, he said, "Today there is no more tension about rice for boys and girls."

Seventy-something Abul Kasem came here hoping to be 'sold' for 35 years. No matter how old he is, this old man is always trying to show he is strong. When asked to know the secret of hiding age, Kasem laughed. He began to say, "If you say you are too old, who will work?" He will say that he will not be able to do any work at this old age. So I try to make myself healthy. Kasem said in the local language of Bhola that he is also a construction worker.

Kasem, a resident of Borhanuddin, Bhola, has been staying with his family in Chattogram city for many years. Although he has been working very well all these years, now he is sick most of the time due to his old age. But still he has to leave home every morning for work. For working from 9 am to 6 pm, sometimes I get 700 taka, sometimes 800 taka.

Mohammad Ismail of Bhairab of Kishoreganj, who is very young, has been coming here for 5-6 years and looking for work. When asked if he knows about May Day, he said, "I know, but what will happen if I know?" I have to work that day too. What will you eat if you don't work?'

Another laborer named Saiful Islam took the words from Ismail's mouth and started saying, 'If there is no rice in the stomach, what will happen by celebrating the day? Everything is so expensive. What we eat, how we eat - no one takes notice. It can be seen again that after renting for 1000 taka, at the end of the day, they suddenly take out the carpentry and give 700-800 taka. Cheat us in any way he can. Everything has to be tolerated with a closed mouth.'-This worker who carries bricks and sand opened the window of the sad story after getting an audience.

As time progresses, the crowd start to decrease because the sold workers started going to work. But the wait for at least 50 workers is not over. A little while ago, the watchmen announced together that the time is now 9 o'clock. Seeing that, the sweat on the forehead of the forty-year-old Hafiz seemed to be rising. He stood like others to be 'sold'. While waiting it was 10 am but remained unsold like many others. By glancing at the clock once, Hafiz understood the writing on his forehead. What else to do Hafiz started walking with the basket full of bricks and sand on his back? But Hafiz made one last attempt on his way back. Called 'new friend' Abdul Khalek. Khalek was sold in front of him. Hafiz met him every day while standing at this unannounced market of 'people selling'. Do you need more people where you work? Talk to them if you like. I am willing to work even if the wages are low. Hafiz told Khalek sadly. Khalek spoke on the other side and answered Hafiz.

To find out what answer he gave, it is better not to talk to Hafiz. Everything is written in his dirty face!!

Dhaka: Hot sun overhead. Body wet with sweat. Sweat drops like pearls on old face. The sweat is falling on the ground in drops from cheek-spit with breaks. Such is the intensity of the sun; Open your eyes and look! A simple watcher standing with a smile on her face in such hostility of the weather! If you see her, you will think that she is saying 'I will not carry the wheel of exploitation on my shoulders / This is the fight, this is the fight.

This simple-looking woman standing on the banks of the Turag, defying the fierceness of the sun is a day laborer. She works in loading and unloading sand on the banks of Turag river near Amin Bazar Landing Station in Dhaka. She labors all day in the scorching heat, in return for a meager wage on her forehead. They are called working people those who lack in the family. Two days there was no good food. To remove the lack of family, she worked hard.

International Workers' Day is celebrated on May 1 to protect the rights of such working people. The day is also known as May Day. This day of international labor movement and realization of labor rights has been celebrated globally for years. About 80 countries of the world observe May Day and national holidays in honor of workers.

Before the 19th century, factory workers had to work 10 to 12 hours a day. In some cases more than that. But the pay was low in proportion to the work which was not suitable for their lifestyle. At one stage the workers started getting angry. In 1884, a group of workers in the city of Chicago in the United States demanded that the employers set an eight-hour working day. The workers set May 1, 1886 as the time to fulfill this demand. But the factory owners did not listen to the demands of the workers. As a result, on May 4, 1886, the workers started a movement again at the Hay Market in Chicago. There, 10 to 12 workers were killed when the police opened fire on the protesting workers.

Two years after this event, in 1889, the First Congress of the Second International, held in Paris on the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, proposed that Chicago Labor Day be observed from 1890. The proposal was formally adopted at the Second Congress held the following year. Later, in 1904, the International Conference of Socialists held in Amsterdam, Netherlands called on all socialist democratic parties and labor unions to organize marches and processions on the first day of May worldwide to demand an eight-hour daily working time and to establish peace. In response to this call, almost all the labor unions of the world decided not to do compulsory work on May 1. Workers in many countries demanded that May 1 be observed as a public holiday. May Day is celebrated as an official holiday in various countries. Gradually, the significance of this day spread in different parts of the world including Russia, China, Bangladesh and India. Establishments around the world demand workers to work eight hours a day.

May Day was celebrated in the camps of freedom fighters during the Great Liberation War in 1971 out of respect for the rights and demands of the workers. May Day got national recognition after independence. After the independence of Bangladesh in 1972 on the occasion of the great May Day, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared May Day as National Day in his address to the nation. Since then May Day is celebrated with due dignity.

But May Day is just another day for the workers. Many people are not aware of this because even on this day they have to go out in search of livelihood. Otherwise, two handfuls of rice will not be collected. Family members will starve. So for those for whom it is Labor Day, this day has no significance. For low-income workers, work is religion, work is work. Therefore, the same statement in the mouth of the workers, including the sand workers, 'All our days are equal. If you work, you don't get money, if you don't, you don't get any money. We don't even have holidays for this. Need to work. If you don't work, the family won't work.

The society and the government should come forward to wake up the working people. The hands of the workers must be strengthened by resisting the ugliness that income inequality has taken within the country. Then evil forces like injustice, torture, terrorism and communalism will be countered. Through this, the May Day wish will also be fulfilled. In anticipation of that day, everyone will tune in with Kazi Nazrul Islam – Jago anashano bandire joto / Jagater lanchito Bhagyahata! / Jata otyachae aji vajra hani' / Hanke -jana-mon-mathita bani, / Nava Janam lovi' abhinav dharani / Ore oi agata/Adi srinkhal Sanatan Shastra-Achar/Mool Sarbanesher, Ere Bhanib Aber!/Vedi' Daitya-Kara/Ai Sarbahara!/ Keu rahibena ar por pada-nata.

Criticizing the United States, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the United States does not look at its own face in the mirror, but gives everything to Bangladesh on human rights issues. If a political party raised their hands on a US police officer, what would the police do there? A few days ago, the American police did not oppress the common people's movement for opposing the war. It is a violation of human rights. What is the answer?

The prime minister said these things in the opening speech at the meeting of the central executive of the Awami League at Ganabhaban, the official residence of the prime minister, on Tuesday (April 30) evening.

The Awami League president said, "It is unfortunate that some of our country's political bankrupts, who are completely politically bankrupt - some of their speech and some of our country's intelligence make a living, those so-called intellectuals are continuously slandering Bangladesh and spreading false propaganda against Bangladesh. The most amazing thing is that the extreme left and extreme right of this country have now become one, I don't know how it happened. Even if these two poles are united, I keep hearing that the Awami League government must be overthrown. What is our crime?

She said, during Corona, we gave vaccines free of charge. The rich countries of the world did not give but Bangladesh did. We did the test for free, no rich country did. We have taken steps to save people by spending money like water with both hands. Very few countries have managed to do that. We have achieved success there. We have reduced the maternal mortality rate, reduced the infant mortality rate, increased the enrollment rate, increased the life expectancy of people, brought medical care to people's homes, we have progress in education. Bangladesh is moving forward from all sides, where are we lagging behind? We have increased per capita income, increased growth.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, Corona pandemic, then Ukraine war, sanctions-counter-sanctions, global inflation - because of this problem, not us, the whole world, even developed countries are suffering. Still we continued our march. In the 2008 election manifesto, we announced that we will take Bangladesh one step higher by 2021. We declared vision 2021, we declare the charter of change of day. Today the day has changed.

She said, we have always aimed at the grassroots people, their socio-economic development. Today no one can say that there is poverty in the village. Now say - poverty in the city. Now a strange calculation has been made, the rate of poverty has increased in the cities, not in the villages. But at one time the people of the village could not eat rice in one meal, had no place to eat, did not get treatment for diseases and were deprived of the light of education. We have proceeded in a planned manner, targeting the people at the grassroots of our development. I have already declared the homeless and landless nil in several districts and upazilas. There are a few left, they will be gone soon. No person in Bangladesh will remain without an address.

She said, only if Awami League is in power, we can easily make the progress as a developing country. It will be established as a developed and prosperous country by 2041. Where are those who question the election, who question the right to vote? Those who have seized power through illegal assassination plots, the political parties that came out of their pockets, they now have to listen to democracy, the right to vote, those who started stealing votes by voting yes and no. After that, we have seen every election, including the presidential election, national parliament election. How people's votes have been played.

The Prime Minister said that one should not go too far in the 2001 election in which Awami League was defeated by conspiracy. We got more votes in percentage but not seats because I did not agree to sell my country's gas to other countries. Today's cry for gas, if I had agreed then, would there be any industry in our country? Fertilizer center was running, electricity production was increasing, but it was not. But Khaleda Zia gave a bond. Khaleda Zia promised to sell gas if she comes to power. I just said, God gives wealth according to people. Khaleda Zia has promised to sell gas, but will not get gas. During their period, they did not get gas by digging the cup.

Who are they to raise questions about the election under us? Those who were born through vote theft, they ask again how? Let the people say that the people of the country are happy to vote. Yes, there are some local problems in the area. In the history of the elections of Bangladesh, when has the election of 2024 been fairer in Bangladesh. 

The President Md. Shahabuddin urged all the political parties of the country to give importance to public interest in accepting and implementing political programs.

He said that the main aim and purpose of politics is public welfare. Public interest should prevail in all decisions taken by governments and politicians.

The Head of State said these things while addressing a program organized on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the establishment of the Community Clinic at the Osmany Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Tuesday (April 30) afternoon.

He requested to avoid such programs as the development and progress of the country is hindered and the suffering of the people increases.

The President also urged everyone to work together to implement all the measures taken to ensure the economic and social security of the people. He said, regardless of party affiliation, work together to make all government initiatives successful.

President Shahabuddin emphasized on extending a hand of cooperation to everyone in the sustainable progress of the community clinic as a public welfare institution of the country.

Appreciating the overall activities of the entrepreneurs of the community clinic, the President said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman worked for the freedom of Bengalis all his life and following the path shown by Bangabandhu, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took various programs of the community clinic to advance the country.

Mentioning that public interest should be given priority in every aspect of the government's activities, the President said that besides food, clothing, shelter and education, multifaceted programs are taken and implemented to bring medical services to the doorsteps of the people to improve public health.

He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina started the first community clinic at Gimadanga in Gopalganj on April 26, 2000 to ensure health care for the marginalized people of the country. Community clinic activities are now recognized as a 'unique model' of healthcare across the world.

The President said, but after the change of power in the 2001 elections, the then government's vindictive anti-public interest decision stopped this well-loved health service initiative for marginalized people.

He said today community clinics have become a place of trust for people in terms of medical services for marginalized people, especially women and children. The utility and reputation of the community clinic spread beyond the village-town to the national level and even the global sphere.

He said that in order to realize the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to build Sonar Bangla and to fulfill the basic needs of the people, a total of ten special initiatives including community clinic activities, shelter, electricity for all, Amar Bari Amar Khamar, social security programs were taken.

He pointed out that these ten special initiatives taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build a happy and prosperous nation free from hunger and poverty are already playing a major role in improving the quality of life of the people.

The Head of State said that the United Nations has recognized 'Community Clinic' as 'The Sheikh Hasina Initiative'. This is an important international recognition of our government's innovative leadership in primary health care in public-private partnership.

He said that currently 14 thousand 173 community clinics are working as a model of public partnership. It is a unique example of government-people partnership. The contribution of community clinics in providing health education at the grass root level and creating public awareness to prevent the epidemic during the Corona period and implementing mass vaccination programs is undoubtedly worthy of appreciation.

He further said that Bangladesh has won many prestigious international awards like MDG Award, South-South Award, GAVI Award and Vaccine Hero Award in recognition of our success in the health sector.

This achievement of the Prime Minister has brightened the image of Bangladesh in the world and made us proud.

The President expressed hope that the Prime Minister's unique initiative 'The Sheikh Hasina Initiative' will spread throughout the world and contribute to human welfare.

Chaired by Community Clinic Support Trust President Professor Dr Syed Modasser Ali, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Samant Lal Sen, Secretary of Health Service Division Jahangir Alam, Managing Director of Community Clinic Health Assistance Trustee Additional Secretary AKM Nurunnabi Kabir and Line Director of Community Based Health Care (CBHC) Dr. Md. Qayyum Talukder and others spoke.