"If stability, social peace and image are alright, then production, development, investment, industrialisation and employment opportunity will increase," she said.

The PM was inaugurating a two-day programme in observance of the historic May Day organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium yesterday.

She announced a number of welfare schemes for the workers.

Presided over by State Minister for Labour and Employment Amanullah Aman, the function was also

addressed by ILO Director Gopal Bhattacharya, Bangladesh Employers Federation President M

Anis-Ud-Dowla, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal General Secretary M Zafrul Hasan, Secretary for

Labour and Employment M Shafiqul Islam and Labour Director M Aminul Islam.

The speakers at the function recalled with gratitude the sacrifice of the workers 119 years ago in the United States to establish their right of working not more than eight hours a day.

This year's theme of the May Day is 'Labour-owner Amity is Development in Production'.

Khaleda said that real development of the country is not possible without protecting the interest and ensuring welfare of the workforce.

Recalling the post-independence nationalisation of mills and factories, she regretted that the

beginning of Bangladesh was not very pleasant.

"Widespread looting and politicisation in the name of a special ideology marked the post-independence period," she said.

She reminded that the opportunists and even some dishonest labour leaders made the most in the

plunder, depriving the labourers. The doldrums rendered the nationalised mills and factories losing and sick concerns.

"The loss has come down as a burden on the shoulders of the country and nation ... the larger section of population is bearing the brunt of the loss."

She said her government is committed to ensuring welfare of the workers and has taken up a number of

measures, including a plan to form a national wage and productivity commission.

Work on the formation of Labour Welfare Foundation for all labour organisations is under active consideration of the government, she announced at the May Day meet.

She said that a new policy for empowerment of women workforce is being formulated and would be implemented soon.

Khaleda said Bangladesh has signed 33 ILO conventions and taken up various programmes to implement them.

She reminded that the workforce is the main resource working in the fields, factories, offices, shops, business establishments, mines, gardens and transport sectors.

"Dignity of labour has to be enhanced to improve the image of the country," she said lauding the workers for contributing to the development of the country as well as for strengthening the economy.

Workforce is the architect of the world civilisation and advancement, she noted. "With advances in technology, machines have taken over, but still the person manning the machine is the driving force for development, production and construction."

The PM emphasised proper training of the labour force for improvement of their skill and for enhancing production.

The second session of the May Day's inaugural function included a musical function participated by noted artistes Arif Dewan, Kajal Dewan, Shakila Zafar and Kanak Chapa.