A group of 29 laborers, known as “seasonal workers,” were seen at Pabna’s Bera bus stand last Thursday afternoon. They are heading to the Badalgachhi region in Naogaon to harvest rice. Accompanied by their belongings, including bags, headgear, and traditional scarves, they wait eagerly for a bus or truck. However, due to obstacles, they had been waiting for a long time without any sign of transportation. Finally, towards the evening, they manage to hire a truck heading towards Naogaon for their purpose.
Abu Sayed, the team leader, mentioned that they are all from Sirajganj’s Chowhali Upazila. Every year, they form a group to go to Bera for rice harvesting. This time, they received a call from a familiar farmer in the area, prompting them to assemble the team. The group comprises a total of 29 individuals who will be cutting rice for 25 to 30 days. Each person is expected to receive 15 to 20 maunds (a traditional unit of weight) of rice as payment. However, they are responsible for their own food expenses, and for this, they carry various cooking essentials.
The harvesters explained that during the rainy season, from July to October, there is no agricultural work available for daily laborers. Even jobs like road construction or as day laborers for landlords become scarce during this time. Consequently, many find themselves unemployed due to the lack of employment opportunities in the surrounding areas. To sustain their families, some resort to borrowing money from NGOs or lenders, and after the rice harvesting season, they repay the debt with the earnings.
One member of the team mentioned that this arrangement allows them to earn more by cutting rice in areas where the payment for the work is higher than in their local region. They pay off debts, return home with harvested rice, and engage in other agricultural activities like onion cultivation. Juel Rana, a member of another team going to Bogura for rice cutting, stated that they go to Bogura every year during this season, where they have the opportunity to earn a good income. He mentioned that last year, they earned 18 maunds of rice.
On the previous Friday, another group of 10 individuals was seen at the Bera bus stand, heading to Adamdighi in Bogura for rice harvesting. The team leader, Roijuddin (50), stated that they are going to cut rice in Bogura district.
Talking to the laborers, it was revealed that their financial situation is not good, especially with the rising prices of essential commodities. Many of them have been unemployed and trapped in a cycle of debt during the rainy season, as there is a scarcity of work.
Abul Kalam Azad, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Berar Kazi Nazrul Islam Women’s College, expressed that several laborers from Bera and neighboring areas visit different districts each year for rice harvesting. In the past, when they went for work, there was no communication system with their families back home. Now, with the advent of mobile phones, they can stay in touch while working.
