The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami amir and opposition leader in Jatiya Sangsad, Shafiqur Rahman, on Friday said that the lives of workers remained largely unchanged though leaders’ fortunes changed with shifts in power in the country.

He made the remarks while addressing a rally organised by the Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Federation at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, marking International Workers’ Day.

Shafiqur said that Jamaat would continue movements both inside and outside the parliament to ensure workers’ rights and dignity.

‘Despite changes in political power, the condition of workers has not improved,’ he said.

He also urged the government to prevent harassment faced by migrant workers during passport processing and travel.

Shafiqur also said that Jamaat would continue working for the welfare of oppressed workers around the world, stressing that national development is not possible without prioritising the broader working-class community.

Leaders and activists of Jamaat, along with members of the labour federation, attended the rally.

Speakers at the programme demanded the implementation of an eight-hour workday, timely payment of wages, ensuring safety for female workers, and an end to arbitrary layoffs.