Bogura artisan jewellery businesses stare at losses amid pandemic
The 30,000 antique jewellery makers of 10 villages in Bogura are now struggling to earn a living due to a sharp fall in demand for such ornaments after the Covid-19 outbreak. Many have already changed their profession while some had to sell their jewellery factories as well. Photo: Mostafa Shabuj
Around 30,000 artisans from 10 outlying villages of Bogura sadar upazila in Rajshahi are involved in making jewellery with about 66 per cent of them being women and youths who earn between Tk 500 to Tk 4,000 each week from the trade.
Around 10,000 women from Dharampur, Atapara, Fulbari, Baropur, Moglishpur, Jhopgari, Joypurpara, Shikarpur, Joytika, Ashorpur villages were involved in making cigarette filters just 15 years ago, according to local jewellery traders and makers.