"We believe it's not possible to keep the wheel of production and development running if the welfare of the workers who are making direct contributions to the development is not ensured," he told a function marking the May Day.

The chief adviser said the government is committed to ensuring fundamental rights of the workers of all sectors in addition to generating more jobs and creating skilled manpower.

"We must ensure the minimum standard of living of the workers keeping pace with the present-day world to establish a just society," he said.

The theme of this year's May Day is 'Sramik Maliker Oikya Chai, Unnayaner Bikalpa Nai (We Want Unity of Workers and Owners: There is No Alternative to Development)".

Labour and Employment Adviser Md Anwarul Iqbal, ILO representative Gopal Bhattachariya, president of Bangladesh Employers Federation Syed Manjur Elahi on behalf of the owners and garment operator Lutfunnahar Poly and pharmaceutical worker Md Hedayet Ullah on behalf of the workers also spoke at the function chaired by Labour Secretary Asfaq Hamid.

Advisers, chiefs of the three services, representatives of workers and owners and senior civil and military officials attended the function at the Osmani Memorial Hall, organised by Labour and Employment Ministry.

Referring to the glorious movements of workers to realise their due rights, the chief adviser said now it is a big challenge for the labour organisations and the labour force to expedite the economic growth by ensuring just rights of the workers by obeying and enforcing labour laws, maintaining good relations between workers and owners and increasing production and improving the quality of services.

In this regard, he called for making constructive contributions by all parties at the national and local levels. He said the key responsibility of labour organisations and leaders is to uphold the professional interests of workers through effective coordination and better contacts with the management and owners.

About the garment sector, he urged the owners of garment industries to ensure timely payment of wages of the workers and their security, and maintain a fair working atmosphere. "The government is also giving importance to compliance issues in this sector."

He urged the garment workers to be careful so that their movements do not turn violent and cross the limit at any situation, and urged both the garment owners and workers to fully implement the tripartite agreement signed with the government. "Any laxity in this regard won't be good for anyone."

Referring to the objective of the present caretaker government, Fakhruddin said the present administration is working relentlessly to establish a foundation for a corruption-free just society with democratic values.

"In carrying out this effort of us we'll have to be attentive to upholding the just rights of the people of all sections, including workers, farmers and women," he said.

The chief adviser called for greater unity of the nation with the spirit of the great May Day.

Garment worker Lutfunnahar Poly in her brief speech called for maintaining cordial relations between the owners and workers and realising right demands of the workers. "The owners should not be crazy for windfall benefit," she said.