Jon Haat is The demand for day laborers is significantly excessive in Faridpur as farms within the main crop-producing area require the help of seasonal staff at any time when the harvest interval comes around.
As such, folks from throughout Bangladesh repeatedly go to Jon Haat, a market in Faridpur metropolis the place day laborers collect seeking work all year long.
Nevertheless, the market turns into the most energetic through the jute harvesting season, which is ongoing with farmers now busy reaping and retting the crop.
The market, situated alongside the Dhaka-Barishal freeway, is located on 30 decimals of land on the south aspect of Haji Shariatullah Bazar within the Golchamot space of the Faridpur metropolis.
Faridpur and its adjoining districts, specifically Rajbari, Madaripur, Gopalganj, and Shariatpur, have long 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 availability of day laborers within the area, they mentioned.
Throughout a go to the market, this correspondent noticed that it was filled with day laborers looking for agricultural work.
The individuals who come to rent these laborers talk about the several types of work concerned earlier than reaching a worth for his or her providers.
After putting a settlement, employers should pay Tk 10 for every employee to the market authority.
The authority then takes down the complete identity, deals with and call data of the employer and employed laborers earlier than approving their contract, which specifies each day price and period 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 each day,” he added.
Requested why they might journey up to now for work, Ali mentioned there may be much less work accessible in Chuadanga.
“In addition to, I’d 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 dwelling,” he added.
Momen Molla, one of many others who got here with Ali, mentioned he was in a position to ship dwelling 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 repeatedly 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 attainable to get greater than Tk 5,000 again dwelling,” 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 seeking work to assist maintain his household.
“We’ve 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 this moment,” Ahmed added.
Shafikul Mridha, an employer based mostly in Maligram village of Bhanga upazila, mentioned he hires staff from the market with a each day price of Tk 800 to Tk 1,000 per particular person for each jute harvesting season.
Abu Sikdar, an employer from Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj, mentioned he involves Jon Haat seeking 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 no less than 50 retailers have been arrange close by.
Aside from foods and drinks gadgets, quite a few these retailers promote agricultural tools, equivalent to sickles.
Obaidur Sheikh, a neighborhood who sells agricultural tools, mentioned he can earn about Tk 600 to Tk 700 each day.
Abul Kalam Sheikh, in-charge of the market, mentioned folks from Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Rajbari and different districts come each day to rent staff or promote their providers.
“However generally it’s seen that staff are mistreated and don’t get cash about Jon Haat. In such circumstances, we discuss to the employers and acquire the cash,” he added.
