|
Researcher: Mr. Naimuzzaman Mukta
In Bangladesh a section of the poor are engaged in
making paper shopping bags (Thonga). Their business
is usually city-based and they produce paper bags from
used papers. The use of paper bags to carry shopping
items was quite prevalent in the past but decreased
significantly with the introduction of polythene bags.
As a result most of those engaged in the profession
were in financial trouble. However, after the recent
government-imposed ban on the use of polythene shopping
bags, the use of paper bags has increased and the Thonga-makers
have once again an opportunity to earn a living from
this trade. In this participatory action research the
main objective is to review the socio-economic status
of the Thonga makers in four major divisional cities
of Bangladesh, namely Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and
Khulna, and help them identify the problems they face,
as well as their solutions and strengths. The idea is
to help them change their situation by their own efforts.
The project also involves market study for the sale
of paper bags. If a model can thus be established, it
will be replicated elsewhere in the country.
|
