The demand for jute bags is rising in Bangladesh after the government imposed a ban on use of polythene bags. Demand for jute bags is also high abroad as people interested in using jute products as it is environmentally friendly.
The high demand abroad has provided the poor Bangladeshi women an opportunity to earn a decent living. They make different jute products for private organizations. Around 7,000 women are now involved in making handicrafts for the organisation which has proved to be a boon for them. Most of these women operate independently. Some are provided raw material by the buyer and they charge stitching charges. Some use their own jute cloth and charge on a per unit basis. They make jute bags, wall and floor mats.
Most women work part time and earn Tk5000 to Tk6000 per month which in dollar terms is $57-48 per month. This supplements that family income. This may not be a handsome income but for the village folks even this is handy.
Satkhira where the handicraft company is located exports jute products worth Tk9-10 crore per year to European countries. The jute products buyers are from Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Finland and even to Australia.
