imu.imran2020
Dry fish Process
In Bangladesh, a large proportion of marine and freshwater fish landings are processed by drying. Dry fish is locally called ‘Shutki’. In winter, many fishermen catch fish mainly to make dry fish. But traditional drying methods are used in the absence of a modern dry fish preservation facility. Most of time they dry fish under sun; these dried fish can bring them profit by exporting them. The fish is also exported to different countries after meeting local demand, traders say. Demand for fish drying labor corresponds with the lunar cycle, with two high and two low weeks each month. A flexible labor force is thus required, and most workers are hired on a daily basis. These casual laborers, who often lack alternative employment options, are usually able to find work for around 15 days per month, but sometimes as few as 10. The working day runs from dawn to dusk (roughly 6.00 am to 6.00 pm), and there is a strong gender division of labor. Men perform tasks which include washing fresh fish, applying pesticides to prevent fly infestation, hanging fish up to dry on scaffolding, weighing and bagging dried product and loading it onto trucks. Women are responsible primarily for sorting fresh fish by species, tying pairs of churri and loitya together so that they can be hung up, and turning and further sorting of mixed fish species during the drying process. At least 50% of the causal laborers employed are women & child. Workers said they get daily wage of Tk 300 in addition to some raw fish.
Dry fish Process
In Bangladesh, a large proportion of marine and freshwater fish landings are processed by drying. Dry fish is locally called ‘Shutki’. In winter, many fishermen catch fish mainly to make dry fish. But traditional drying methods are used in the absence of a modern dry fish preservation facility. Most of time they dry fish under sun; these dried fish can bring them profit by exporting them. The fish is also exported to different countries after meeting local demand, traders say. Demand for fish drying labor corresponds with the lunar cycle, with two high and two low weeks each month. A flexible labor force is thus required, and most workers are hired on a daily basis. These casual laborers, who often lack alternative employment options, are usually able to find work for around 15 days per month, but sometimes as few as 10. The working day runs from dawn to dusk (roughly 6.00 am to 6.00 pm), and there is a strong gender division of labor. Men perform tasks which include washing fresh fish, applying pesticides to prevent fly infestation, hanging fish up to dry on scaffolding, weighing and bagging dried product and loading it onto trucks. Women are responsible primarily for sorting fresh fish by species, tying pairs of churri and loitya together so that they can be hung up, and turning and further sorting of mixed fish species during the drying process. At least 50% of the causal laborers employed are women & child. Workers said they get daily wage of Tk 300 in addition to some raw fish.