RAJSHAHI, May 31, 2018 (BSS) – Shoe makers and labourers are passing
their busy time in Kaluhati village in the district with the hope of
marketing their finished products during the Eid markets.
Consumer’s demand has been doubled this year to buy attractive design
and good quality products. Shoe factories are passing their days with last
moment’s busy works as the celebration is touching the door.
More than 5,000 shoe workers many of them are women are working in
factories. Simultaneously, more than 2,000 women laborers are working in the
factories for making box for shoes.
The village under Charghat upazila its footwear factories are famous
among businessmen from different parts of the country.
The village has around 65 shoe factories employing around 7,000 people
and around 2,500 of them are females involved in the shoe-making.
Side by side working in the factories, many women already become small-
scale entrepreneurs of manufacturing shoe-packets, bag, key-ring, purse and
wallet.
The families are taking advantage of establishing such type of factories
with small investment with their family members successfully.
Shoe-maker Firoj Ahmed says each of the workers earn at least Taka 12,000
to 15,000 during the Eid season. Abida Sultana, owner of a packet and box
factory, said their goods are sold in both wholesale and retail markets. They
earned success in the business contributing a lot to improving their living
and livelihood condition, she added.
Morjina Begum, 40, wife of Faraj Ali, has been working at Konika Shoes
Factory for more than six years. She earns Taka 300 to 400 every day. She
also operates a factory named ‘Bhabna Bag and Box’ in her house employing 20
other women.
She initiated the business with primary investment of Taka 20,000 around
three years back and now her capital investment stood to around Taka three
lakh.
“I started my own business in 2015 after I have learned the technical
know-how while working for another entrepreneur,” Marzina said. She now runs
the business after managing household tasks in her five-member family.
At present, most of the families are solvent and self-reliant. Many
families now live in brick homes with electricity.
“We receive more orders in Eid season. Additional 2,500 labourers remain
engage in various works like design, sewing, cutting, sole making and
painting,” said Sohel Rana, General Secretary of Kaluhati Shoe Industry
Owners Cooperative Limited.
He mentioned demand of new designed footwear is on rising. Products of
the village are sold in different markets of the country.
Abdul Mannan, President of the association said their business is facing
competition due to the imported footwear.
Mannan said owners of many small factories couldn’t expand their business
due to fund constraints. During the current Eid season, they become compelled
to borrow money from NGOs at a high rate of interest. For this lion portion
of their profit are supposed to go to pockets of the beneficiary money-
lenders.
If the owners were provided with reasonable SME loan the factories will
be enriched, he added.