Dhaka: The historic May Day will be observed on Tuesday with due respect in the country like elsewhere in the world.

The day is observed across the globe since 1886 commemorating the supreme sacrifices of the workers at Hay Market, Chicago, in the USA for eight-hour working day and upholding the rights of the working class, reports the BSS.

Working people sacrificed their lives on May 1, 1886 and the following days, for realising their demands, in bomb attacks and heavy police actions.

Worker groups and trade unions, political parties, different government and socio-cultural and professional organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion of the historic May Day.

They extended their greetings to all working people of the world including Bangladesh.

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Rawshan Ershad also issued message on the eve of the day.

Like the previous years, the Labour and Employment Ministry has drawn up two-day programmes to observe the Day at the state level.

A colourful rally will be brought out from Dainik Bangla crossing at 7 am and it will end in front of the National Press Club on Topkhana Road after parading different city streets.

In observance of the day, a discussion will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 4 pm tomorrow. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to attend the discussion as the chief guest. The discussion will be followed by a cultural function.

On May 3, the ministry will arrange another discussion at Jatiya Press Club VIP lounge at 10am marking the May Day.

Under the initiative of Islamic Foundation, a discussion, doa and milad mahfil will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 5.15 pm after Asr prayers tomorrow marking the day.

May Day is a public holiday. All public and private offices, courts, banks, mills and factories will remain closed.

Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar and other private sector television channels and radio stations will air special programmes to mark the day. National dailies will publish special supplements commemorating the day.

On the occasion, Shrama Bhaban, Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, different street islands of the capital will be decorated with banners, festoons and placards.

Different political parties, particularly the labour wings of political parties, labour organisations, professional bodies and cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

The programmes include colourful rallies, discussions and cultural functions.