Human Market in Kazipur, Sirajganj — a Modern Reflection of ‘Slavery’ in the Struggle for Survival

 “We sell our labor, not our bodies”—this one sentence captures the life stories of hundreds of workers.

At Natuarpara market in the char region of Kazipur upazila in Sirajganj, a unique bazaar is held twice a week—known as the “Human Market.” Here, people are not sold as slaves; rather, they sell their sweat and labor in the hope of survival.

Every Saturday and Wednesday, at the break of dawn, Natuarpara market becomes crowded with workers. Some stand holding spades, some with shovels on their shoulders—waiting for a day’s work. They wait for hours with a single expectation: that an employer might come and call them, that they might get at least one day’s job.

In their eyes lies only one hope—to earn something today so they can put a meal on their families’ plates.

Abu Hossain (50), a worker from the sadar upazila, said, “My family was poor, so I couldn’t study. I come here every month to support my wife and children. Sometimes I sell my labor for 500 taka, sometimes for 700. But often I don’t get any work. On days I don’t get work, my family and I have to go without food.”

In this market, labor is sold for 500 to 700 taka a day. But many return home empty-handed after failing to find work. A field visit showed employers roaming the market, selecting workers—some judging strength, some judging experience before setting a wage. Some workers get 400 taka, some 600; others stand day after day without getting any job at all.

Here, wages are set based on necessity—not compassion.

Abdul Latif Sarkar, the leaseholder of the Kazipur Natuarpara market and a local BNP leader, said, “A labor market has been here for many years. Most people in the char areas are poor. They survive by selling their daily labor.”

The workers in this market have no permanent employers and no security—only an endless struggle for an uncertain life. Yet they do not give up. Every morning they wake up with one question—will they earn anything today?

Amid poverty, hunger, and deprivation, they rely on their own labor to keep themselves alive. This “Human Market” of Natuarpara in Kazipur stands as a silent reflection of modern society—where people are still sold, not as slaves, but in the fight for survival and the hope of bringing a smile to their families’ faces.