If we are not sold, there will be no food for wife and children"
Photo: Barta24.com
The morning light has just begun to shine. In the meantime, the sidewalk in front of the modern Chalk Super Market of Chattogram City's Chalk Bazaar is filled with people. They are 200-250 in number. Their identity is workers, more specifically, day laborers. Some are construction workers, some do furniture work, some move household goods.
As soon as someone came, the group of workers ran around from their seats, and kept shouting tirelessly, 'Brother/Sir buys me...!' This is the picture of last Monday morning, two days before May Day. But not only this day, have people sat in this market to sell every day. This has been going on for at least 50 years.
Photo: Barta24.com
At home there are six boys and girls and me and my wife. At this time, you can understand the hardships of a family of eight. So I came here before dawn in the hope of being sold.'-Abdur Rahim suddenly stopped while speaking. The middle-aged man's mouth did not come out even if he asked the question 'then'. There is a lump in the throat. After a while, he started saying with damp eyes, 'If I don't sell, the wife and children won't have enough rice in their stomachs. So come every day no matter how bad the body is. Sometimes I get regular work, sometimes I don't.
While talking, a man came and wanted to take Abdur Rahim for construction work. At the end of the bargain, a happy smile is on the face as soon as it is 'sold'. Before leaving, he said, "Today there is no more tension about rice for boys and girls."
Seventy-something Abul Kasem came here hoping to be 'sold' for 35 years. No matter how old he is, this old man is always trying to show he is strong. When asked to know the secret of hiding age, Kasem laughed. He began to say, "If you say you are too old, who will work?" He will say that he will not be able to do any work at this old age. So I try to make myself healthy. Kasem said in the local language of Bhola that he is also a construction worker.
Kasem, a resident of Borhanuddin, Bhola, has been staying with his family in Chattogram city for many years. Although he has been working very well all these years, now he is sick most of the time due to his old age. But still he has to leave home every morning for work. For working from 9 am to 6 pm, sometimes I get 700 taka, sometimes 800 taka.
Photo: Barta24.com
Mohammad Ismail of Bhairab of Kishoreganj, who is very young, has been coming here for 5-6 years and looking for work. When asked if he knows about May Day, he said, "I know, but what will happen if I know?" I have to work that day too. What will you eat if you don't work?'
Another laborer named Saiful Islam took the words from Ismail's mouth and started saying, 'If there is no rice in the stomach, what will happen by celebrating the day? Everything is so expensive. What we eat, how we eat - no one takes notice. It can be seen again that after renting for 1000 taka, at the end of the day, they suddenly take out the carpentry and give 700-800 taka. Cheat us in any way he can. Everything has to be tolerated with a closed mouth.'-This worker who carries bricks and sand opened the window of the sad story after getting an audience.
As time progresses, the crowd start to decrease because the sold workers started going to work. But the wait for at least 50 workers is not over. A little while ago, the watchmen announced together that the time is now 9 o'clock. Seeing that, the sweat on the forehead of the forty-year-old Hafiz seemed to be rising. He stood like others to be 'sold'. While waiting it was 10 am but remained unsold like many others. By glancing at the clock once, Hafiz understood the writing on his forehead. What else to do Hafiz started walking with the basket full of bricks and sand on his back? But Hafiz made one last attempt on his way back. Called 'new friend' Abdul Khalek. Khalek was sold in front of him. Hafiz met him every day while standing at this unannounced market of 'people selling'. Do you need more people where you work? Talk to them if you like. I am willing to work even if the wages are low. Hafiz told Khalek sadly. Khalek spoke on the other side and answered Hafiz.
To find out what answer he gave, it is better not to talk to Hafiz. Everything is written in his dirty face!!
