Reviving rug industry engages thousands of Sari Pul women

SAR-I-PUL (Pajhwok): Women carpet weavers in northern Sar-i-Pul province are happy with their income from working in the recovering carpet industry.

The female craftswomen, including university graduates, say they economically support their families with wages against weaving rugs.

Masooma Mirzayee, owner of carpet weaving centers, said one thousand women worked under her management in six shops.

Mirzayee said: “I buy thread from some companies and distribute it to rug weavers. The rug weaving women are paid 300 to 400 afs per meter and they can finish a four meters rug in one week and get their money”.

Aziza, one of the weavers said she has been weaving rugs since last 16 months in Chahar Bagh village and she was happy to support her family with her small income.

Aziza said: “The wage is minimal, but what can I do, my family is not economically good and I somehow support my family from this income”.

Nasiba Noori, another weaver, asked the government to support them and find good marker for their products.  She wanted the profession to be a permanent income source for them.

Zahra, another rugs’ weaver, said, women engaged in the profession were needy women. She said even girls who had graduated from universities and had bachelor’s degrees worked with them against 100 afghanis per day.

She said: “I ask the government of the Islamic Emirate (IE) to support this industry and come up with supportive programs”.

Meanwhile, rug sellers asked the government to help them marketing and support the ancient industry.

Hasan Rahmani, one of the sellers, urged the government to provide them with facilities regarding exporting the rugs to foreign markets and not allow other countries to export Afghan products as their own.

Abdul Nasir Amini, an official of Sari Pul commerce and industry department, said currently 6,749 women worked in the carpet weaving industry in different parts of the province.

He said: “At the time of the previous government, the Directorate of Industry and Trade did not exist in Sar-i-Pul province and the carpet weaving industry was in dire situation at that time”.

He added the reasons behind the revival of the carpet weaving industry included encouragement of the provincial Industry and Trade Directorate, the use of the product by people and its exports to foreign countries, including America and Europe.

aw/ma

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