Life of garment workers with a wage of 1200 taka, I can't go by myself, what shall I feed my wife?
Photo: Barta24.com
Shahinoor, a resident of Pirer Bagh in the capital, brings home Tk. 12,000 a month by working 8-5 every day. Husband also works. But the income of two people does not support a family of five. Shahinoor is really struggling. After calculating the rent and paying the related bills, she found herself empty-handed before stepping towards the market. This middle-aged woman sent her three daughters to school. But one girl has already dropped out of school. This is the life of a garment worker.
Along with the pace of economy in the garment sector, the livelihood of the workers in this sector has not kept pace in the past. It still not getting it. Last year, the government fixed the minimum wage of garment workers at 12,000 taka which was earlier 8 thousand taka. It was expected that some relief would come from this salary increase, but due to the increase in commodity prices, that relief did not come. Shahinoor's burning proof.
Almost six lakh people migrate to Dhaka city every year with the dream of success in life in search of livelihood and hope to change their fate. Among the large number of people who came to Dhaka, most of the lower class, lower middle class are settled in various garment factories of the capital. These people who have come from the village are giving their labor in the garment factory for a small income to get rid of poverty. But their fate did not change.
Many people work for a monthly salary of 12-13 thousand taka for 8-9 hours a day. However, with this small income, the families of garment workers are struggling to make ends meet due to the rise in the prices of daily necessities.
House rent, household expenses, how is the life of clothing workers? This reporter of Barta24.com tried to find out about this. On Thursday (April 25), it was learned about their condition after talking to the workers of some garment factories in Mirpur area of the capital.
Shahinoor Begum, a garment worker in a Mirpur Sheorapara factory, lives in Pirer Bagh area. She told Barta 24.com, "My husband's income alone doesn't support the family. So I went to work myself. But even that doesn't work. I go at 8 in the morning and come back at 5 in the afternoon. I get 12.5 thousand taka a month. After the broken bed, all I get is house rent, current bill. ,ends up paying the water bill."
"I have three daughters. No son. I cannot pay for their education. I have stopped one daughter's education," said Shahinoor.
Shahinoor blames the increase in commodity prices for this sad state of fate. She said, two people work to survive after eating a little. I can't even move in this city with three girls. That's unfortunate."
Another garment worker Alauddin came from Bhandaria police station in Pirojpur district in search of livelihood and joined a garment factory in the capital. Iron Man's work is his there. Monthly salary is 12000 taka.
There is a lot of pressure at work. There is no chance of the clock going around. If the specified work is not done within the time, the job will be lost. Alauddin told Barta24.com, "Because of lack of education, I couldn't go far. When I couldn't do anything in the village, I came to Dhaka city. I got a job as an iron man in a garment. It is very difficult to work in this summer. There is nothing to do. I live in a mess in Sheorapara. Eat- I spend 7-8 thousand taka a month on my own.
"My mother says to start a family, get married. I say I can't go by myself, what I should do with my wife!"
Rozina, another garment worker, said, "Earlier it was 8000 taka, now it is 12000 taka. But in this age, but in this time can't survive on this money. The price of fish and meat in the market is burning. Broiler chicken is also around 250 taka per kg. My husband's daily income is always spent. . Maya has grown up, how I get her married no savings.’
Readymade Garment industry is a major sector of Bangladesh's export earnings. The country's foreign exchange reserves are heavy by buying cheap labor in this economic driving force. And the owner's fortunes are increasing. But despite working tirelessly day after day, the workers do not see the face of happiness. As much as the income increases, it all comes to an end due to the shock of rising commodity prices in the market. So there is little change in the lives of workers in the garment sector.
