Speakers at a workers’ rally on Friday said that the rising cost of living is making life increasingly difficult for working people, urging immediate steps to ease the burden and strengthen social protection measures.

They made the call at a rally held in Savar marking the historic May Day under the slogan ‘Reduce the prices of essential commodities, save workers.’

Participants at the rally called for the introduction of ration and health cards for workers and the expansion of social protection programmes in the national budget.

The rally was organised by the Labour Working Group of the Democratic Budget Movement and held in the afternoon at Murti Mor in Hemayetpur Bus Stand.

Around 300 workers from various labour and youth organisations took part in the programme.

Addressing the rally, DBM Joint General Secretary Sekendar Ali Mina and Combined Workers Federation General Secretary Nahidul Hasan Nayan highlighted the growing economic strain on workers amid persistent price hikes.

They stressed the need for an accessible rationing system, quality healthcare services for workers, and the establishment of specialised hospitals. The speakers also called for the introduction of an effective pension scheme.

They further demanded that compensation for workers injured or killed in workplace accidents be set in line with international standards.

The rally also urged authorities to make the workers’ protection fund functional and ensure workers’ participation in labour-related decision-making.

The speakers warned that sustainable economic development would not be possible without ensuring workers’ rightful demands and protections.