Harvesting of Boro paddy is underway in Sunamganj though there is a dearth of workers which has resulted in a crisis.
Due to low wages, fear of being struck by lightning and short term contracts, workers go to other places to work for a longer period of time.
In addition, a large number of workers go to toil in stone quarries which has created a crisis.
A farmer laments, “I managed 17 workers with great difficulty though the need is for thirty workers.”
“In certain areas, workers are forced to carry the paddy on their heads for about two miles; since the road is unsafe, workers are not interested.”
Though huge amount of rice is produced in the haor areas, there is an absence of a proper road to transport the paddy.
Medicine and arthritis specialist of Sunamganj Hospital, Dr. Bishnu Prashad Chanda, says: “many people come with complications of the vertebra and spondylitis. They are affected by these conditions for carrying heavy weight on their heads for a long period.”
MP of Sunamganj-4 advocate Pir Fazlur Rahim, says: “a plan to construct an underwater road has been raised in parliament; it’s expensive but the government is considering it.”