Assessing Worker Conditions and Addressing Challenges in Dry Fish Processing: A Case Study from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Abstract

The research aimed to determine the conditions and issues affecting dry fish processing workers and the drying centers. The data was collected with questionnaires by semi-structured personal interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) of respondents and analyzed the data from major sites Nazirartek, Chowfalldandi, Khurushkul, and Nunierchara at Cox’s Bazar Upazila; Thakurtala, Ghotibhanga, and Sonadia at Moheshkhali Upazila and Shaporirdip and Shamlapur at Teknaf Upazila. The majority of the workers were male ranging from 59.95%-76.09% with female participation ranging between 8.94%-18.12%, children 5.28%-13.37%, and Rohingya refugees 7.17%-22.78% cumulatively in Cox’s Bazar. Road networks, landing center accessibility, electrical connections, ice plant shortage, inadequate marketing and processing facilities, inefficient sanitation and hygiene practices, low wage levels, and extended labour hours were some of the limitations observed. Better infrastructure, improvement of processing facilities, wage improvements, health and safety measures, ensuring gender equity, and providing administrative support are the possible ways forward of these constraints. The study suggests government and policy interventions to improve socio-economic conditions and infrastructure.