Desk Report: At least two hundred families have been supporting their livelihood by sewing fishing nets for years at Rangabali upazila in Patuakhali. They work only in just before fishing season. They pass very complicated time in other seasons by working day labor, reports Daily Asian Age.
During a visit our Asian Age correspondent found the sceneries at Khalghora Sluice Ghat, Charmontaz Sluice Ghat, Koralia Launch Ghat, Char Kasem Kheyaghat, Charganga, Tungipara, Mowdubi, Chalitabunia, Jahajmara areas under Rangabali upazila.
Women, children and old persons are seen busy sewing tearing nets in the heavy sun. The fishermen hand over their nets to them while anchoring at the bank of sea. They repair completely and hand back to fishermen before going their journey to sea. So, they have no a little bit time for rest.
Children and women of many families do this job. A laborer said, 4/5 days is passed to attach rope with every shine net. A laborer earn Tk 200-250 daily by on this job. Wage Tk 100-150 is decreased when there is no catching fish in the sea. On the other hand, their wage increases when fishermen busy with catching fish a lot.
Boatman Razzak of Khalgora area said, he has been sewing tearing nets for 8-10 years. They got Tk 100 as wage in the past. Their wage is increased during high season of fish. And wage decrease when no season of fish. Several fishermen said, they caught fish before.
But now they are not more interested due to old age, lack of money, no loan from govt, pirates in the sea, trawler wreck etc. So, they choose this profession as alternative for bearing cost of their family. They think here life is secured though income is low.