Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman promised better workplace safety and dignity for women if his party comes to power. He condemned the inhumane conditions faced by factory workers, especially women, and pledged to eliminate wage disparities. He also criticized the lack of prayer spaces and facilities for women, urging equal treatment to build a just society. Labor leaders echoed demands for pro-worker legislation and health insurance.

Despite being known for their tireless work ethic, Bangladeshi laborers in Malaysia are facing serious wage disparities. While workers from countries like Nepal, China, and Vietnam earn a minimum of 3,000 Malaysian Ringgit for 8-hour shifts, Bangladeshis reportedly earn only 1,500–2,000 Ringgit for 12-hour days. The workers blame this discrimination on unskilled and irregular migration practices.

Following a two-month fishing ban aimed at conserving juvenile hilsa (jatka), thousands of fishermen have resumed work in the Padma-Meghna rivers. The ban, effective from March 1 to April 30, covered a 70 km stretch from Shatnol to Char Bhairabi in Chandpur. Over 1,000 enforcement drives were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 129 fishermen—five were jailed and 124 fined. During the ban, each affected fisherman received 160 kg of rice as aid.

Bangladesh is close to finalizing a mutual visa exemption agreement with Algeria for diplomatic and official passport holders. This was confirmed during a meeting between Algerian Ambassador Dr. Abdulwahab Saidani and Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam. The agreement has already been approved by the cabinet and is expected to be signed soon. The adviser also expressed gratitude to Algeria for being the first country to recognize Bangladesh in 1971.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized that workers and employers are not adversaries but partners in building a strong and self-reliant Bangladesh. Speaking on May Day, he paid tribute to the workers of the 1886 Haymarket movement and reaffirmed his commitment to fair wages, an 8-hour workday, and safe working conditions. “Improving labor standards is not only a right for workers but also a prerequisite for national economic growth,” he added.

After a decades-long hiatus, Jahangirnagar University will hold elections for its Central Student Union (JAKSU) and Hall Unions on July 31. A new Election Commission led by Prof. Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman has been formed, with Prof. Dr. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam as the member-secretary. The roadmap for the election was announced at 1 AM Thursday. Notably, the last JAKSU election took place in 1992.

Residents of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) who maintain gardens on their rooftops or in their yards will receive a 5% tax rebate, said Administrator Mohammad Ejaz. Starting May 11, 2025, DNCC will host a Tax Fair where citizens can easily pay taxes and avail special incentives. At the 6th DNCC Corporation meeting, several structures named during the previous authoritarian government were renamed. These include: “Shaheed Zayan Chowdhury Playground” in Banani renamed to “Banani Chairman Bari Field,” “Bir Muktijoddha Asaduzzaman Khan Complex” in Madhubagh renamed to “Madhubagh Community Center,” and “Harun Mollah Flyover” in Kalshi renamed to “Kalshi Flyover.”

Rafiqul Islam Bablu, Chair of Bhashani Janashakti, urged the government not to establish a humanitarian corridor in Rakhine without consulting political parties. He warned that a one-sided decision, like the earlier Rohingya influx, could deepen Bangladesh’s security and social challenges. Bablu highlighted the need for democratic transparency, citing the symbolic “new Bangladesh” initiated on August 5.

A 150-200 kg military ordnance believed to be from World War II was safely defused in Munshiganj’s Aralia village. Discovered during excavation on April 28, the device was covered by the landowner before police and the army confirmed it was a bomb. The CTTC bomb disposal unit later neutralized it. Authorities say it’s the largest bomb ever recovered in Bangladesh.

BNP leader Habib-Un-Nabi Khan Sohel criticized student involvement in empowering the current regime, calling it a serious misstep. He expressed disappointment over the corruption of political aides and questioned the role of self-proclaimed “masterminds” in current politics. He reiterated the party’s demand for a fair, neutral election backed by public support.

At Ramgarh Government College in Khagrachhari, 29 students were expelled for submitting their exam papers early. Two teachers were removed from invigilation duties for protesting the expulsions. Lecturer Nazmus Sakib began a hunger strike in protest, joined by students. The administration later withdrew the expulsion and reinstated the teachers after widespread outcry.

Bangladesh repaid more than $3 billion in foreign debt during the first nine months of the 2024–25 fiscal year, with $2.01 billion in principal and $1.2 billion in interest, according to an ERD report. Total loan inflows during the period were about $4.81 billion, with the largest disbursements from the ADB ($1.22B), World Bank ($1.07B), and Japan ($890M). Meanwhile, the country received fresh aid commitments totaling $3 billion, a sharp drop from $7.24 billion in the same period last year.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie urged the youth to move away from the distorted form of politics they’ve witnessed over the past 17 years. He stressed the need for a shift in mindset to restore genuine political and social values. Annie emphasized that leadership should come with humility and respect for the people, adding that a government truly chosen by the people is on the horizon.

The traditional sweet ‘Patkhiri’ from Munshiganj has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, recognizing it as a culturally significant local product. Industry adviser Adilur Rahman Khan emphasized the importance of developing GI-certified products commercially to empower local producers. Patkhiri now joins the list of 55 GI-recognized Bangladeshi products, including the famed Jamdani saree.

Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves stood at $27.41 billion at the end of April, with the IMF-compliant BPM6 method showing reserves at $22.05 billion. Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Arif Hossain Khan expressed confidence that IMF targets for June will be met. April saw record remittance inflows of $3.29 billion, the highest in the country’s history.