August 5, 2026, Ghior, Manikganj, Bangladesh: A laborer carries a bundle of raw jute weighing approximately 50 kg at Ghior jute market in Manikganj, Bangladesh. Bangladesh is the world’s second largest producer of jute, a biodegradable natural fiber known as the ‘’Golden Fiber’’ for its silky texture and golden sheen. Long used to make sacks, hessian cloth and rope, jute is now also used in a growing range of eco-friendly products, including mats, luggage, footwear, biodegradable ‘’Sonali Bags’’ as an alternative to polythene, and fiber reinforced composite materials. Workers at the market typically earn around US0-12 per day carrying heavy jute bundles between trading points and warehouses, while raw jute currently sells for approximately US0-36 per maund (Credit Image: © Syed Mahabubul Kader/ZUMA Press Wire) #zumapress #journalism #bangladesh #work