Jashim Uddin Salam

BANGLADESH

Sony World Photography Awards

Documentary

Life beyond ship grave yard-1

“ The ship breaking industry at Sitakund started its operation in 1960. Due to lower labour costs and less stringent environmental regulations Chittagong ship breaking yard booms in a very short time. Destroying thousands of tree in coastal area, constant harmful oily substance from ship, Dangerous vapors and fumes from burning materials makes this coastal belt a highly polluted area. In the yard worker’s wages depend on the number of hours works and skill level. They have no entitlement to overtime, sick or annual leave. A laborer usually works for 12-14 hours a day and their wages range from 100-250 taka (1.5 to 3.5 dollars). The working conditions are very dangerous. Health and safety regulations for the workers are very poor. Protective equipment is most times absent or inadequate. Huge casualties occurs causing loss of lives every year. Over the last twenty years, more than 500 workers have been killed and 600 seriously injured according to local news media. Scrap Ships provide more than 80% of the country’s steel needs. Besides this around three million people directly or indirectly involved and employed in the industry, among them 40 percent of the work force comprise of child labor. Despite this treacherous conditions, people from all over Bangladesh particularly poverty prong northern district come to this industry to manage their livelihood.

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