Uncertainty looms large on the face of a helpless day-labourer, eagerly waiting to be hired at Lalbagh in the capital on Monday. He along with his group members was not employed until noon due to the ongoing hartal-blockade. — FE Photo by Shafiqul Alam
Day-labourers' hardship in the capital is gradually mounting up due to employment shortage and subsequent low earning due to the ongoing non-stop hartal-blockade.
It was found that more than 5,000 labourers, mainly from the country's northern and southern parts, gather at around 12 spots across the city for jobs in every morning.
Day-labourers, coming from the country's northern parts, usually gather at Uttara, Bashundhara, Joarshahara, Badda, Rampura, Khilkhet and Mohakhali etc.
Besides, the day-labourers, coming from the southern parts, gather at Jatrabari, Shonir Akhra, Malibag, Bashabo, Mogbazar and Shantinagar etc.
These people, mostly skilled and young men, include masons, carpenters, painters, mosaic workers, welders, iron fitters, tiles workers and other non-technical workers.
But only 40 per cent of these people are currently getting jobs in various construction sites and some other places amid the political turmoil.
Md Ismail, a 55 years old man waiting at Shantinagar, said he has come from Bhola and waits here every morning.
Shedding tears he said he is not getting any job for the last three days, as he is old and does not have technical skill.
But he needs to earn at least Tk 400 daily, as he spends Tk 200 for himself and keeps the rest for his family in Bhola.
He waits till noon everyday, but no one hires him and he does not know whether he would be able to buy his lunch or not, he added.
Humayun and Bashar, waiting at Mogbazar, said they have skill, as they were in Dubai as carpenters for three years and came back home eight years back.
Humayun is 37 years old, and his daily hiring rate is Tk 800 and that of his assistant Bashar, 41 years old, is Tk 500.
Their payments were the highest among all the day-labourers, but now they are being hired maximum two to three days a week, they also said.
Md Jahangir, 26 years old and coming from Haluaghat, said they work in a group for painting high-rise buildings on daily basis or in contract. It is a highly risky job, and two years back one of his co-workers died falling from an under-construction building.
Jahangir and his group were seen waiting at Malibag rail-gate on Monday. When the FE correspondent talked with him it was almost 12 noon, but there was none to hire them.
Another 22 years old young man near Rampura TV gate, who was a skilled worker, said he was slightly wounded a few days back while operating a mosaic machine. For the last several days he is doing non-technical jobs and being paid less.
Abdul Kader, waiting in Mogbazar, said despite having technical skill he is now ready to be hired for any work, as he needs money for family purpose. If he does not get any job contract today, he has to borrow money and does not know when and how would repay the loans.
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