At least 10,000 workers in Bandarban's Naikhongchhari upazila have been living with the risk of losing their jobs due to the fall in price of local raw rubber triggered by imports, rubber industry owners say.
Due to favourable weather and soil conditions rubber grows in abundance mainly in Naikhongchhari and Bandarban Sadar upazilas, which caused the formation of different enterprises there.
Around 10,000 workers alone are employed in Baishari union of Naikhongchhari upazila, where there are about 200 rubber gardens.
Although the price of rubber made products are the same as it was when the price of raw rubber was good, the fall in price left both workers and business owners in deep distress.
Md Zafar Alam, a staff of such a business, Nazma Khatun Rubber Garden, said rubber produced in Bandarban is not only sold in local markets but is also exported. "Now due to the fall in market price, many have been losing their jobs."
According to sources, before the fall in price in the last two years, each kilogram of rubber was sold at Tk250-380. The current price of rubber has declined to as little as Tk135-140 due to its import from India, Myanmar and other countries.
Md Al Amin, the managing director of Nazma Khatun Rubber Garden said: "Rubber price is low for the past two years and causing a great distress to owners and workers. We are struggling to pay our workers after selling the produce."
Nur Mohammad, a worker of a rubber garden in Baishari said: "Many workers like me have been losing their jobs as the rubber price has fallen. The government should look into the matter."
Shah Sirajul Islam, joint general secretary of Bandarban Rubber Garden Owner's Welfare Association, sought urgent attention of the government to save the rubber enterprises in Bandarban.
Naikhongchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sadia Afrin Kochi said they will contact the higher authorities regarding the matter.
