A large number of farm labourers from Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts are going to southern and north-eastern areas of the country in search of work amid seasonal unemployment that is likely to continue until start of Irri-boro paddy harvest early June.
During this period of the year, job seeker farm labourers from the northern region often go to Comilla, Sylhet, Dhaka and Jossore districts where Irri-boro paddy is planted and harvested earlier.   

The government's 40-day job scheme titled 'Karmasrijan Karmasuchi' meant for mitigating sufferings of the unemployed farm labourers has just started in these districts but it is too inadequate for the requirement.     

In Thakurgaon, the government has allocated Tk 6 crore 23 lakh 20 thousand for wages  of 7,790 labourers under the scheme while Tk 4 crore 36 lakh 16 thousand has been allocated in Panchagarh for 5,452 workers, according to the district office of the Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation.               

After plantation of Irri-boro paddy and harvest of wheat and potato most of the farm labourers in the northern districts become jobless during this time.

"I became jobless early April after completion of weeding in boro field and I am now passing hard days with the family," said Robiul Islam, 45, of Bhurnia village in Ranishankoil upazila of Thakurgaon district, as he was waiting at Thakurgaon bus stand on Wednesday afternoon.      

"I and 12 other farm labourers from our village are going to Comilla for boro harvesting. We will stay at least 25/30 days there and earn Tk 10,000/15,000 each," he said.

Moin Uddin, 44, of Dhantala village in Baliadangi upazila said he became jobless after reaping potatoes and wheat. 

"During the last two weeks I am passing hard days with family. I can't hope to get work here until boro harvest starts and so, I have decided to go to Comilla for work. I have borrowed Tk 2,000 from a local money lender for a month on condition of paying additional Tk 500," he said.      

Md Lablu, ticket counter master of Taj Paribahan in Thakurgaon town, said four or five hundred farm labourers went to different districts including Dhaka and Comilla from there during the last one week.