Most of the salt workers in Cox's Bazar are passing miserable days because of financial hardship. Even on May Day today, they are busy producing salt amid the severe heat. They may not get fair prices of the salt even after their hard work.
In spite of all the hardships, the news of the record amount of salt production in 63 years once again brings joy to them.
They do not have rest facilities and nice work environment. Their work also involves health risks. Although the theme of this year’s May Day is social justice and fair working environment.
Today is the May Day, which is known worldwide as the International Workers Day -- a day to recognise the struggle of working people. It is observed every year around the world to honour the demands of the workers.
Although the day is celebrated every year, there is no change in the fate of the workers, said Abdul Quader, a salt farmer of Matarbari area in Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar.
“I have worked as a salt field worker before and I am still doing it. It wasn't so hot before,” he said.
Iqbal, a salt worker in Kalamar area of Maheshkhali, said, “I work in the salt field throughout day. Now it is so hot that it is not worth mentioning.”
Faridul Alam, a salt grower in Lemsikhali area of Kutubdia, said salt production has increased many times due to extreme heat. “More salt is produced during the hot weather. So we have to stay in the field during summer. Sometimes we suffer from different health complexities like nausea and dizziness. There is no rest in the sun. There is no provision for health care. There is no good working environment,” he said.
Mostafa Kamal, president of Bangladesh Salt Cultivators Welfare Council, said salt production has increased as the heat has increased. About 29 thousand metric tons of salt was produced in Cox's Bazar in one day yesterday. But our workers have no health care, no good working environment. If the farmers don't get fair price, their hard work cannot bring any joy to them.
Advocate Shahidullah, president of Bangladesh Salt Farmers' Association, said, "We are working to ensure the fair wages of the workers. However, the government has an opportunity to do a lot in this regard.”
Faridul Alam, president of Bangladesh Salt Workers Union Council, said, "Our workers are working very hard in this heat. But they don't have a good environment at work. There is no provision for rest amid the extreme heat in the salt field. If you get sick in summer, health care is suddenly not available. We seek the government's assistance in this regard.”
Md Zafar Iqbal Bhuiyan, deputy general manager of Salt Industry Development Cox's Bazar Office, said that Cox's Bazar broke the record of 63 years and the highest salt production was achieved yesterday. Salt is being cultivated on 68,357 acres of land in Cox's Bazar and Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong district this year.
This year the target has been set at 25 lakh 28 thousand metric tons. Out the target, 22 lakh 73 thousand 628 metric tons have been produced till yesterday.
A total of 39,467 farmers are working for producing salt.
