Photo : Messenger
Hailing from Cumilla Potti area of Manikganj, 60-year-old Haris Uddin has been pulling a rickshaw in Dhaka for over a decade. The intense heatwave has severely impacted his livelihood. While waiting for passengers in front of the National Press Club on Thursday, he said, “I can barely pedal the rickshaw anymore. After driving for a short while, I get completely exhausted. This extreme heat is dehydrating me from the inside out. I have never experienced such intense heat in my entire life.”
He continued, “Earlier I could earn 1200-1500 taka per day, but now after earning just 800-900 taka, my body gives out. After an hour of driving, I need to rest for an hour. This heat has become unbearable. Only the Almighty knows when the rains will come and provide relief from this scorching earth.”
Haris is not alone, workers across Bangladesh have been devastated by the extreme heatwave. According to relevant sources, the country has lost numerous working hours over the past two weeks due to the intense heat, impacting the national economy. Economists warn that if this persists, it could drive up overall inflation.
Exhausted by the heat, workers are idling for most of the day. Rickshaw pullers, van pullers, cart pullers, porters, and construction labourers who previously worked 10-12 hours daily are now tiring after just 5-6 hours. Many are also falling sick from overexertion. Mill and factory workers have to take a day off after every workday. Agricultural activities, infrastructure projects, and many other sectors are being hampered.
On Thursday at Dhaka University's Hazi Muhammad Mohsin Hall field, 15-20 exhausted rickshaw pullers were seen lying on their rickshaws or the ground. One of them, Moin Uddin Khan, said, “Even with the campus breeze, I get drained after pulling for just an hour, so I come here for a break.”
Ashraf Ali, constructing a house in Sayedabad, said, “Work has halted for the past week. Usually, 8-10 labourers worked daily with the head mason. But they refuse in this heat. I couldn't find any at Jatrabari and Karwan Bazar labour markets either. The few available demand double wages. So, I had to stop work temporarily and will resume once the heat subsides.”
Abbas Ali has been running a fruit stall in front of the Bangladesh Bank in Motijheel for a long time. He said, “Due to the intense heat, there are very few people on the streets. Sales have dropped by half compared to before. I have to keep the stall open to maintain possession of the spot, but there is hardly any business throughout the day now. Whatever little selling happens is in the evening.”
Hotel workers have been the most affected by this intense heat. Imran works at a restaurant in Motijheel, where he cooks for about 200 people every afternoon. He told this reporter on Thursday, “It has become extremely difficult to work, so the owner has provided me with additional staff and also increased my wages for the summer period. Despite the hardship, I am continuing to work, thinking of the owner.”
He also mentioned that a cook from one of the neighbouring hotels has been hospitalised after falling sick.
Messenger/Fameema
