Declining cotton output hits women workers
Declining cotton production in Multan is affecting women cotton-pickers’ daily income.
About 20 million people, directly or indirectly linked to the cotton industry, from cultivation to textile products and its exports, have also been affected by the crisis. Cotton, often touted as ‘white gold’, has a major share in the country's economy.
However, the production of cotton is on decline with every passing year. The declining trend is not only inflicting damage to the country's economy but also affecting the farmers and other people associated with its business.
Among the affected people, over 500,000 poor cotton pickers are women. These cotton pickers, almost all belonging to rural areas, are reportedly worried due to low production of cotton, decreasing cultivation area and lowering of their daily wages. The cotton picker women get wages on a daily basis against their work.
However, their daily income has been decreasing drastically. Sakeena Bibi, a resident of rural area of Vehari district, said she had decided to quit cotton picking due to low earning. She recalled that she had been picking cotton for over 40 years. In the past, she used to earn a handsome amount during the whole cotton season and managed to purchase required household articles.
The cotton production is shrinking and it is also affecting her income. She recalled that she used to pick nearly 60 kilogrammes of cotton in a day during previous years. “Now, I am picking only 15 to 20 kilogrammes of cotton.” About her wage, she disclosed that Rs500 per day were being paid against 40 kilogramme of cotton picking. Now, her wage has reduced to Rs200 to Rs250 per day, which is insufficient to meet routine expenditures. Cotton picking was no longer a sustainable source of income, she remarked.
Nazia Bibi, another cotton picker woman, stated that she was picking cotton as she had no other option. "In case I find any other job, then I will quit cotton picking", Nazia added.
She further said that there was very low production of cotton. Now, she could not earn a reasonable amount. In the past her income from cotton picking was sufficient.
She used to purchase clothes for her kids, paid their school fees and also met some other expenditures of her home.
Her income was a good financial support towards her husband, she maintained.
According to a Pakistan Cotton Ginners’ Association (PCGA) report, till November 1, only 3.45 million bales reached ginneries, which was remarkably low. Now, in the ongoing season, extremely low production is being feared.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2020.