Low income earners
Extension of lockdown causing anxiety among low income earners
Low income earners specially rickshawpullers and drivers of three wheelers have been passing an anxious time as the government on Monday announced a fresh countrywide lockdown from April 22.
They have been living hand to mouth as their income has decreased following a countrywide strict lockdown began from April 14, they said.
Though countrywide strict restrictions have been enforced for the sixth consecutive day on Monday, large number of rickshaws and three wheelers were seen plying the city streets alongside other private vehicles.
Also read: Auto-rickshaw, light vehicle workers demand food, financial support from govt in lockdown
Police were seen stopping vehicles setting up a number of checkposts at different points of the streets.
Visiting Mirpur Road, Banani, Mohakhali and Badda Progoti Sarani Road, the same picture of anxious rickshaws and auto-rickshaw was seen in the city.
Rickshawpullers have been running on the main streets defying police obstruction as they do not get sufficient passengers in their respective locality.
Bulbul, a 30-year-old rickshaw-puller, was waiting for passengers near bus stand of Merul Badda. When asked about his daily income during current strict lockdown, he said he could earn Tk 600-700 daily before the current strict lockdown began from April 14. But now he has been earning only Tk 200-300 daily.
"As a large number of people are staying home due to the lockdown, I have to ply rickshaw on the main streets but do not get sufficient passengers," he said.
3 years ago