Prior to celebrations such as Durga Puja, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Eid-ul-Azha, local shoemakers typically spend a busy day crafting handmade shoes, some of which are even personalised to the buyer’s specifications.
During the rest of the year, when there is no demand for new shoes, they just sew and repair shoes, the money they make during the festivals helps them support their families.
But for the current situation, shoemakers are facing difficulties amid low demand.
However, fewer work orders are being given to the approximately 700 shoemakers from the Rabidas group this year in five districts within the Rangpur division: Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Nilphamari.
A group of shoemakers called the Bangladesh Rabidas Forum is worried that many of them won’t even be able to hold onto their money given the current circumstances.
