Home ›› 21 Aug 2022 ›› Nation
Frequent load-shedding has reduced Jamdani production in Sirajganj by more than half.
Industry insiders said due to the sudden hike in oil prices, factory owners are struggling to keep the handlooms running. Many factories are on the verge of shutting down as the production cost has skyrocketed due to the regular use of diesel-powered generators.
Most of the country’s Jamdani clothes including saree, kameez, lungi, and towels are produced in Sirajganj. The last week’s oil price hike has dealt a severe blow to the district’s Jamdani industry which was already affected by the frequent load-shedding introduced about a month ago.
There are about 1,25,000 looms in the factories of the 9 upazilas of Sirajganj. Each loom requires 2-3 workers for making, dyeing, and drying yarn and fabric production. About 3.5 lakh people are involved in this industry.
According to sources, trades from all over the country visit the wholesale markets, organised twice a week, at Ullapara, Belkuchi, Shahjadpur, Enayetpur and Panchil areas in the district to buy different kinds of clothing items. Jamdani clothes of Sirajganj are exported abroad also.
But, sources said, most of the weaving mills in the district are on the verge of closing down due to the lack of power supply. Factory owners are incurring losses due to the decrease in production. As result, in a bid to cut down expenses, many factories have sacked workers, leaving a growing number of loom weavers unemployed.
Zubair Hossain, a saree-weaver from Shahjadpur’s Dwariapur area, said the loom’s capacity of making four sarees per day has come down to two due to load-shedding.
Sumon, Aslam and Palash Sarkar, weavers from Mukandaghati village in Belkuchi upazila, said the workers’ wages have come down to Tk 1,500 from an average of Tk 3,500 per week.
They said that their wages depend on production, but due to frequent load-sheddings, they have no other alternative to sitting down idle.
Abdus Sattar, a power loom worker of Chandangati village, has been working in the industry for almost 20 years and supports his seven-member family.
“I used to earn about Tk 2,500 per week. My earnings have dwindled due to load-shedding and I am now struggling to support my family,” he said.
Weaver Rahiz Uddin said that he is worried about the reduced wages as the prices of daily commodities have gone up. “If the electricity problem is solved, at least we can earn enough to support our families,” he said.
Ripon Saha, owner of Roy Products in Belkuchi, said they kept the factory running with an oil-powered generator, but the sudden fuel price hike has forced them to shut down the factory.
“About 5-7 litres of oil are needed to keep the generators running for 4-5 hours. This increases the production cost a lot,” he added.
Bidyut Sarkar, the owner of Bismillah yarn shop in Sadar upazila, said the price of yarn raw material has also increased which has affected the industry. “One sack of 50-count yarn was Tk 14,500 a year ago, but now it has jumped to Tk 22,500. Sustaining business has become difficult for the loom owners,” he added.
Shafiqul Islam Jinnah, general secretary of Sirajganj Boro Bazar Traders Association, said production cost has more than doubled and the factory owners are incurring huge losses.
President of Bangladesh Powerloom and Handloom Owners’ Association, Md Badiuzzaman said frequent load-shedding coupled with the recent oil price hike and increased yarn prices have hit the Jamdani industry hard.
He also said that there are about 1.25 lakh looms in the district and many people depended on them for their livelihood.
“Thousands of people will become unemployed if this situation lasts long. The government should prioritise sustaining the loom industry as it contributes a huge amount to our economy,” he added.
