Billed as the largest market in Central Asia, the Dordoi Bazaar is located in the suburbs of Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek. Dordoi is a key retail and wholesale trading post, with most of the goods arriving from China before being moved out to the wider region. Laborers work hard to make sure everything moves smoothly into and out of the market.
The Hard-Working Packers At Central Asia's Biggest Market
- By RFE/RL
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The Dordoi Bazaar in Bishkek provides much-needed jobs to large numbers of people who work within the maze-like structure.
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Stacked metal shipping containers create a system of alleys and avenues that mark off privately owned, smaller bazaars, sometimes named for the origin of goods sold.
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Born and raised in Batken, Abdullah has spent decades working at the market. "I pushed a cart at Dordoi for 10 years. I spent another 10 years packing goods. I raised my two children by working in the Dordoi Bazaar," Abdullah said.
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Abdullah fills four to five packages of goods a day. "The rent of the machine for packing goods is 1,000 soms ($12) per month. We pay for garbage, cleaning, and a guard. In addition, we buy bags, rope, and tape for packing goods. What's left over remains in our pockets. But I can't say it's bad. I can find work and money for working," he said.
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With help from a colleague, Abdullah (right) ensures that his goods are neatly packed, and more importantly, take up as little space as possible to keep shipping costs down.
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Abdullah adds a handwritten shipping label to one of his packages.
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To streamline the process of moving goods in and out of the bustling market, each person has a role, such as packing, carrying, and loading textiles.
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One job is taping the many bales of goods that are to be shipped.
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Though it is easy to find workers for the low-skilled positions, the hours are especially long, as the market is open every day.
