We are dismayed at a media report that fishermen in the country’s coastal areas are struggling hard for their livelihood as they have been trapped in a vicious debt cycle. Coastal fishermen are already leading their life amid risk of natural disasters like cyclone and tidal surge. Their sufferings know no bounds, particularly during ban on hilsa fishing. Although the government provides them with food aid during the ban, but it is not sufficient for their survival.
A news item headlined “Coastal fishermen trapped in debt” was published in the Bangladesh Post on Wednesday. The report gives us a clear picture of how they (coastal fishermen) are struggling to maintain their families living with debt burden.
Limited access to formal financial services, high-interest informal loan from Mohajons (lenders) and middlemen and exploitation by employers are also responsible for their plight, according to sources concerned.
Abject poverty forces the coastal fishermen to take loan from Mohajons (money lender). Though their profession starts with advance known as dadon (loan), they falls into debt trap. Until the debt is fully paid, they must supply hilsa to the specific Mohajon at a very low price. In this way, Mohajons/wholesalers make a quick buck by holding hostage poor fishermen by giving them loan.
Millions of people in the country’s coastal region depend on fishing for their living and most of them are caught in debt trap. Dadon system benefits Mohajons/wholesalers, but fishermen lose everything and live in a very miserable life.
It is learnt that 95 out of every 100 fishermen in the coastal district of Barguna had taken Dadon (loan). Among them, 80 percent are being deprived of fair value of their labour due to the debt trap.
Economists say there is no restrictions from Bangladesh Bank for the financial institutions to provide low-interest loans to coastal fishermen. The central bank can even set up a dedicated fund for them. Bangladesh Bank or other financial institutions can issue a circular to provide small-scale financial assistance to fishermen through banks and NGOs operating in the coastal areas.
Currently, a 22-day ban on hisla fishing is in effect. Patrolling on rivers and seas have been intensified so that none can catch the national fish during this period. In this situation, fishermen now remain jobless. To meet family expenses, many are forced to take loan with high interest from Mohajons.
On the other front, climate change has seriously affected the livelihood of coastal fishermen. Many have already leave fishing profession due to devastating storms, tidal surge, river erosion and reduction in fish in the rivers.
We hope the authorities concerned will take urgent steps to rid the coastal fishermen of debt trap and will do everything necessary like providing them with financial assistance for their welfare.
