|| Kallol Ahmed, Lalmonirhat: Embracing the slogan “Workers and owners united, we will build the country anew,” a massive workers’ rally and colorful procession was held in Lalmonirhat to mark International Workers’ Day 2026.The programme was organized by the Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Federation, Lalmonirhat District Branch, at the field adjacent to the Railway Officers’ Mess (Flat Area) at 10:00am on Friday.Advocate Md. Abu Taher, eminent lawyer and Chief Adviser of the District Sramik Kalyan Federation, attended as chief guest. He said workers play an indispensable role in keeping the country’s economy moving. He stressed the need for exploited and deprived workers to unite to realize their rights, and called for improving their living standards by building a society based on justice.A 15-point charter of demands was placed at the rally to ensure fair rights for workers. Key demands included: immediate announcement of a universal national minimum wage and implementation of the 9th Pay Scale from January 1, 2026; ensuring six months of paid maternity leave for female workers; reopening closed jute mills and industrial units; reducing prices of agricultural inputs and ensuring fair prices for farm products; legal protection for informal sector workers and rehabilitation of returnee migrant workers; bringing prices of daily essentials to a tolerable level; and introducing rationing and housing facilities for workers. The rally also demanded implementation of the “July National Charter.”The rally was presided over by District President Md. Renayel Alam. He called for a just labor policy, an end to extortion in the transport sector, trade union rights in line with ILO conventions, and a halt to worker layoffs.Special guests who spoke included District Advisers Niyaz Ahmed Reza, Hafez Shah Alam, Advocate Firoz Haider Lovelu, and Maulana Habibur Rahman, among other leaders.The programme began with Quran recitation by Hafez Mahabubur Rahman and Islamic songs performed by Md. Sohel Parvez. From early morning, workers from across the district gathered at the venue with banners and festoons in processions. A colorful rally paraded through the main streets of the town after the meeting. The event concluded with prayers.