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Jasmin Akhter
Security Guard
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Multitasking' is a word that largely reflects the notion of 'youth'--the time when one makes plans and utilises his or her potentials to the optimum level to attain them. There are some who give up very easily. To all those and more, 20-year-old Jasmin Akter can be an example who not only has the focus, courage and perseverance to fight all odds but also knows how to live life to the fullest.
Jasmine is a third year student of Business Administration at Bangladesh University. She lives with her mother who works as a cleaner at a publication office. Her mother is a single parent and has brought her up since she was six months old after her father had left them. She has an elder sister who is married. Though she is in touch with her father, he is unable to help the family out financially. But Jasmin is not a pessimist. Since 2009 she has been working as a security guard at the UNDP office at the capital's Agargaon area. With a 70 percent tuition waiver, she manages her studies with her earnings. It is a full time job that requires her to work 8 hours a day. As her classes are in the mornings, she chooses to work from 3pm to 11pm.
“I love my job. UNDP is an international office. Many foreign visitors come here with whom I have to communicate in English. But due to evening and night shifts I have to attend comparatively less number of visitors. So sitting at my desk, I study my course lessons,” says Jasmin.
Her hobby is dancing. She goes to the Bulbul Lalitokola Academy on Thursdays and Fridays to learn dancing. Besides, she has also completed a course on News Presentation and is preparing to join a TV channel. When asked why she is interested in news presentation, she says, “I like to watch news. Whenever I get time during my duty, I read the newspapers at my office to practice my articulation skills. All through school, college (classes 11 and 12) and university, I have been hosting programmes. I used to recite poetry as well. Besides, I have been trained in singing during my childhood. So, all these have smoothened my way towards becoming a news presenter and I believe this area suits me.”
Though in poverty, Jasmin has been brought up in a liberal manner. All her activities are supported by her family. She was raised in Tangail. Back then her mother used to work keeping her at a day care centre owned by the employer organisation. It also provided schooling for underprivileged kids. After passing her SSC exams from Tangail, her family moved to Dhaka and she got admitted to the Lalmatia Mohila College, where she stayed in the hostel. "University has a completely new and different vibe," she says when asked about her university activities. "I have got a wonderful circle of friends who help me out in need. Whatever I do, I do it on my own. I have a sense of independence.”
Jasmin wants to help her mother in every possible way. She aims to work either in a bank or in a multinational corporation. “If I perform well in my current job and show a good academic result, I might get a chance to do an internship at the UNDP which will be extremely prestigious.” Jasmin is a kind of person who proves that poverty can be won through wit and labour.
By Promiti Prova Chowdhury
Irin Akther Shumi
Security Guard
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Irin Akther Shumi is a security guard for the Gemcon Group. Her duty falls sometimes at the Meena Bazar, sometimes at the reception of Gemcon office, or sometimes at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB). A year back her father had become unable to work due to Thalassemia. Being the eldest of three siblings she had to take a job to help her family. From an uncle she heard about the vacancy and applied for it. Instantly she got the job.
18-year-old Irin was a meritorious student. When she was in class nine, she used to teach in the same school from play group to class eight. Seeing her brilliant academic results and financial instability the school authority had offered her this job. But due to poverty she dropped out in class ten. In the capital's Hajaribagh, her family, consisting of five members, lives in a room.
Currently Irin is the only earning member in the family. She pays for her younger siblings' education and also pays the room rent. “I have been working here for the last one year and seven months. My work requires me to keep standing for 12 hours at a stretch which is really painful. But the good thing is that my duties are changed according to venues. For example, when I am at the reception of Gemcon office, my duty is to enter the visitor's name and contact details in the register. In Meena Bazar I keep the customers' bags inside the lockers. In ULAB it is completely different. There I check for student ID cards. So my job literally keeps me on my feet and is not boring!”
”I am only looking forward to my father's recovery but I do not know how that can be possible," she says once asked about her future plans. "We need around 2,00,000 takas (two lakh) for my father's bone marrow transplantation. But at least I am taking the responsibility for my family's well being. Having an education up to class nine, it is hard to get any better job. So I will continue doing whatever I am doing now with sincerity and integrity. I do not have any future plans particularly for myself,” states Irin.
By Promity Prova Chowdhury
Marzan Habib
Acting Cashier
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Talking to the bright, young girl Marzan Habib at the Dhanmondi outlet of Meena Bazar, the retail superstore, one would feel like she was a young student fresh out of university. Like many other students who are working part-time at different places, she must also be enjoying earning her pocket money with a sense of independence. But her reality is not that simple.
18-year-old Marzan joined Meena Bazar right after completing her SSC exams under Open University. Marzan is working to help her father, who is a driver, and has to bear the expenses of a family of six members. As her elder brother's academic results were quite good, the family wishes for him to study further. Marzan is the second among the four brothers and sisters, so the responsibility of contributing to the family income came upon her when she was studying in class 8 at the Rayerbajar High School. She was studying dance at the Shishu Academy when, because of poverty, she had to drop out for a year and instead take a vocational course on Electronics. After being certified, she worked as a mechanic for 2 months before finally completing her SSC exams. She started working at the Meena Bazar as a stacker. Currently she is an acting cashier while she continues to study for her HSC exams under the Open University.
“It has been 2 years and 4 months since I joined this place. I work 8 hours a day for 6 days a week. It has been a great experience. I learn about products and customer service every day. Added to that, I have also created a great circle of friends here.” Marzan bears at least 30 percent of the house rent and gives away a majority of her income to her father. She was always good with electronics but studying Engineering was something her family could not afford.
"As I have 2 years of working experience in retail shops, I would like to build my career in this area. Since I have classes on Fridays only, managing studies alongside this job is not very difficult,” states Marzan cheerfully.
By Promity Prova Chowdhury
Md Arafat Al Sadi
Cashier
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Leonardo da Vinci once said, “God sells us all things at the price of labour.” Not only does a proper job help one become financially sound, it also brings positive changes to one's personality. Md Arafat Al Sadi is perhaps the perfect example of that. “No matter what background one comes from, one should choose to work to stay focused and confident. It helps one to stay sane and active,” remarks 23-year-old Sadi.
Md Arafat Al Sadi used to be a spendthrift who had never worked before now. Getting done with his SSC and HSC exams from Jessore, he came to Dhaka with his father a couple of years ago and is now studying Accounting in Dhaka College. He is also working as a cashier at the Green Road outlet of Shwapno, the retail superstore.
His father who works at the ACI logistics, urged him to get a job. He wanted him to join Shwapno. But Arafat was ever reluctant. Finally giving in to his father's wishes, he sat for an interview and began working as a Sales Assistant.
“For the first six months I was the Sales Assistant and at the very beginning it was really hard. I worked my heart and soul. I was even asked to pull and carry sacks of grains. I felt like giving up many times. But my father's words of encouragement kept me going. Now I am working as a cashier. My work has taught me the lesson that hard labour and perseverance can actually get you to a better place. I would like to think I am on the right track, now aiming for the post of a supervisor,” says Arafat.
Arafat wakes up at 5:30 am in the morning, every day. He swaps shifts with his partner according to his class timings. As a child, Arafat always dreamt of working in a bank. He plans to continue working and eventually move to the banking sector.
By Promiti Prova Chowdhury
Md Jasimuddin
Staff
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Labour activist Joe Hill wrote:
“If the workers took a notion they could stop all speeding trains;
Every ship upon the ocean they can tie with mighty chains.
Every wheel in the creation, every mine and every mill;
Fleets and armies of the nation, will at their command stand still.”
Our country is being carried on by hundreds of thousands such workers all across the country who are serving tirelessly in their respective sectors. They all have stories to tell, stories of struggle and hopes. They are working not just to earn their living, but they also consider these jobs to be the stepping stones to better lives.
Md Jasimuddin is a 22-year-old young man working as a peon in the Admissions Office at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and at the same time studying Computer Operations at Provat Technical and Business Management College. After finishing classes in the morning he comes to work at 12 pm to begin his shift, and goes on till 8 pm.
Sharing his opinion about the job, he says, “Though I am working as a peon, I am learning a lot. As it is in the admissions section, I get the opportunity to observe and grasp the whole process of getting an admission into a university. When a student comes for admission, I explain the procedure to him. I handle many students at a time. I prepare the admission forms, make individual files for them and collect their ID cards before orientation. Sometimes I do tasks related to data entry.”
Jasim lives with his family in Dhaka. His father is incapable of working due to physical sickness. Jasim had it the hard way; he sold newspapers to help his family through the crisis when he was in class 5. Through this job he is able to meet his educational and other expenses and at the same time help his family. He is also saving for his future. Jasim plans to study further and contribute to society and his community.
By Promity Prova Chowdhury