The demand for day labourers is significantly excessive in Faridpur as farms within the main crop producing area require the help of seasonal employees each time the harvest interval comes round.
As such, folks from throughout Bangladesh commonly go to Jon Haat, a market in Faridpur metropolis the place day labourers collect in the hunt for work all year long.
Nevertheless, the market turns into most full of life throughout the jute harvesting season, which is ongoing with farmers now busy reaping and retting the crop.
The market, positioned alongside the Dhaka-Barishal freeway, is located on 30 decimals of land on the south facet of Haji Shariatullah Bazar within the Golchamot space of Faridpur metropolis.
Faridpur and its adjoining districts, particularly Rajbari, Madaripur, Gopalganj and Shariatpur, have lengthy been pioneers in producing crops, in line with locals and officers of Jon Haat.
This led to the institution of Jon Haat greater than 50 years in the past to facilitate the provision of day labourers within the area, they mentioned.
Throughout a go to to the market, this correspondent noticed that it was filled with day labourers trying to find agricultural work.
The individuals who come to rent these labourers focus on the several types of work concerned earlier than reaching a value for his or her companies.
After putting an settlement, employers should pay Tk 10 for every employee to the market authority.
The authority then takes down the total title, handle and speak to data of the employer and employed labourers earlier than approving their contract, which specifies the day by day charge and length for work.
Sabur Ali, a local of Pirpurkella village in Damuda upazila of Chuadanga, mentioned he first got here to the market seven days in the past and was employed by a farm within the Gopalpur space of Faridpur sadar upazila.
“I and two others who got here with me labored at that farm for the previous week, incomes Tk 700 per day in addition to three meals day by day,” he added.
Requested why they’d journey thus far for work, Ali mentioned there may be much less work out there in Chuadanga.
“Moreover, I might get simply Tk 300 per day for work in my hometown. So, the cash I earn in every week in Faridpur can’t be eclipsed by even a month of labor again house,” he added.
Momen Molla, one of many others who got here with Ali, mentioned he was capable of ship house Tk 4,000 after working for only one week.
Md Zahangir Hossain, who hails from Billmalni village in Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi, mentioned he has been commonly visiting Jon Haat for the previous two years.
“In Faridpur, I can earn as much as Tk 20,000 monthly after assembly bills whereas it isn’t doable to get greater than Tk 5,000 again house,” he added.
Shabbir Ahmed, an SSC examinee who lives within the Baghabari Ghat space in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj, mentioned he got here to the market in the hunt for work to assist maintain his household.
“We now have six members in our household. So, it’s tough for my father to run it alone. I got here to Jon Haat 4 days in the past and have labored at a farm in Bhanga upazila ever since,” he mentioned.
“However as that contract has expired, I got here searching for work once more right now,” Ahmed added.
Shafikul Mridha, an employer primarily based in Maligram village of Bhanga upazila, mentioned he hires employees from the market with a day by day charge of Tk 800 to Tk 1,000 per individual for each jute harvesting season.
Abu Sikdar, an employer from Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj, mentioned he involves Jon Haat in the hunt for labourers as there’s a manpower scarcity in his space.
“I’ve to chop about 5 bighas of jute. So, I’m taking 5 folks and it’ll take as much as 12 days to finish the work,” he added.
The market has additionally created a supply of incomes for others as at the very least 50 retailers have been arrange close by.
Apart from food and drinks gadgets, various these retailers promote agricultural tools, resembling sickles.
Obaidur Sheikh, a neighborhood who sells agricultural tools, mentioned he can earn about Tk 600 to Tk 700 day by day.
Abul Kalam Sheikh, in-charge of the market, mentioned folks from Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Rajbari and different districts come day by day to rent employees or promote their companies.
“However generally it’s seen that employees are mistreated and don’t get cash. In such instances, we discuss to the employers and accumulate the cash,” he added.
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