The hard work of clam raking for hire in Nghe An under the hot sun
(Baonghean.vn) - This season, along the tidal flats in Quynh Luu district (Nghe An), it is clam harvesting season. The intense heat of the past few days has made the clam raking job even more difficult.
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The hotter the sun, the more clam farmers in Quynh Luu district sell their products thanks to the high demand. To harvest, they have to hire dozens of people to go down to the beach every day to rake clams. Photo: Viet Hung |
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At the tidal flats of Son Hai commune, the clam raking team, mainly women aged 30-70, are enthusiastically working. Photo: Viet Hung |
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Clam raking depends on the ebb and flow of the tide. When the tide is low, exposing the sandbank, clam rakers can easily find clams hidden under the sand. The tools used to rake clams are simple, just a spoon or a ladle. Photo: Viet Hung |
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Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh in Quynh Thuan commune said that on these hot days, starting at 5am, people have gathered at the clam field. With a salary of 15,000 VND/ham, in previous years with good harvests, working all day would earn about 200,000 - 300,000 VND. However, this year the clam crop failed, people raked until 11am before taking a break but still only earned 150,000 VND at most; the remaining 70,000 - 100,000 VND/person. Photo: Viet Hung |
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In tidal flats with high ebb tides, people use their beaks to rake clams. Because the work is more difficult, the pond owner will pay a higher rate than in areas with low tides. Photo: Viet Hung |
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All the clams that are raked up will be put into a screening machine, washed and packaged. Every day, clam farmers in Quynh Luu supply the market with dozens of tons. Photo: Viet Hung |
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Traders come to the place to buy clams, then transport them to markets and restaurants for consumption. According to research, the actual price of clams at the markets is from 20,000 - 25,000 VND/kg. Photo: Viet Hung |
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When the tide comes in, people finish their work after a day of “sunbathing” clam raking for hire. Although it is hard work, everyone feels happy because this is a job that helps them have a stable source of income. Photo: Viet Hung |