We were very much busy in the full month of April.

We had started a campaign for the implementation of May day holiday in all garment factories in Bangladesh. May day is a national paid holiday in Bangladesh- that was declared in 1972 just after our liberation war and fredom of Bangladesh. According to that, all the govt and private sectors follow the May day holiday. But garment sector allways ignoring this. last year 2002, NGWF had organized a short campaign. As a result of that more than 90% garment factories were closed.

This year 2003, NGWF took the decission to organize the campaign again for the full implementation. On 1st April NGWF organized a special meeting and took the decission. On 2nd April, the federation organized a press conference to raise the issue. On 4 th April the federation organized May Day Holiday Implementation Demand Procession centraly and localy. From 5 th to 17 th , the federation organized 45 local and factory based workers meetings. On 18 th April, the federation organized Garment Workers Red Flag Procession centraly and localy for the same demand.From 19 th to 21 st , the federation organized workers meetings and processions out side Dhaka city. On 22nd April the federation submited Memorandum with procession to the BGMEA(Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers And exporters Association ).On 23 rd , the federation submited Memorandum to the Chief inspector of factories and On 24th to the deputy chief inspectors and labour ministry. On 25 th , the federation organized a representatives meeting and On 26th and 27th special meetings in different garment industrial areas. On 28 th the federation organized another press conference to warned the garment owners and On 29 th and 30 th ,processions in different parts of the Dhaka city. From 21st to 27 th, the federation submited letters to the all garment factories.

The federation publicuzed posters , leaflets and stikeers.

Some other organizations also issued press statement.

BGMEA gave circular to all their member garments.BGMEA also took necessary step on 29th and 30 th , when the federation mentioned name of some garments those had decided to run their factories and finaly these factories were closed.

For all these activities, campaign , presure and lobing this year allmost all the garments were closed on May Day.One of the TV chanel( chanel I ) mentioned in their news that- this year first time May Day holiday implemented in the garment sector of Bangladesh and large number of women garment workers participated in the May Day Rally.

( according to our own search only 14 factories ran in Dhaka city and around Dhaka. There are near 2,000 factories around Dhaka.)