BANGLA SERIES, DAY 5
DHAKA
Investigating the Hardest Jobs in Dhaka. For whatever reason when I visit places far off the beaten path I enjoy exploring some of the worst and most dangerous jobs.
LIVING IN THE WEST WE LITERALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY BILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIVE AND WORK
Getting this often rare and unseen glimpse into the live of hard working locals risking their lives does a lot to remind me of how lucky I am to grow up in the west.
WHERE IS DHAKA?
Dhaka
SHIP EMPTYING
The price of labour in Bangladesh is so cheap that there is little need for machines or automation. This was no more evident than the huge number of merchant boats being emptied by hand on the river banks of the Buriganga. Whether its sand, gravel or cement, each of these boats are emptied by a crew of hardworking locals. It has possibly been at least 70 years since my own country implemented this technique. I can only imagine what this job would be like in the summer!
Investigating the Hardest Jobs in Dhaka
MANUAL QUARRY
I remember taking a trip through the DRC and passing a quarry where locals were breaking down the rocks by hand. I was amazed and shocked by it and have always wanted to see it up close. Although not 100% automated, locals here in Dhaka were using sledge hammers to break down the larger rocks before throwing them into the crusher. Again like the majority of the country PPE is rarely used.
Beside these men was a pair of women going through recycled stone that has been used previously on other buildings. Some of these stones have concrete on them and it was up to these women to separate them from the clean stone! Think of the things we complain about in the west and look at this for a job!
Investigating the Hardest Jobs in Dhaka
SCAVENGERS
Many people who can’t even get into these arduous jobs are left with worse again. And although they are possibly less strenuous, they are much lower paid. We came across a local just beside the brick merchants who was looking for scrap bricks which he could sell in bulk. Considering 1000 of these bricks are around $50, the money he makes daily is incredibly poor.
Investigating the Hardest Jobs in Dhaka
BRICK KILN
I have visited many brick kilns, home and abroad, probably due to my own job in housebuilding. I find the entire process fascinating from sourcing the clay to the use of the kiln. Although people here are specialists, they are overworked and underpaid. However they are no less friendly and accommodating when it comes to visitors. I was given a first hand account on each area of work and then a tour of the homes nearby.
Investigating the Hardest Jobs in Dhaka
RELATED READ: LAOS’ MOST DANGEROUS ACTIVITY
HOMES
The days are long, the pay is low, and the kiln owners expect workers to live on-site. Each ‘home’ consists of just one room per family, and those without families share a space with up to 10 others, rotating between work and sleep shifts. Concrete floors provide the only foundation, with just a small blanket or sheet for comfort. As I walk around, I can’t help but feel amazed, but I must remind myself that this is everyday life for so many people.
FACTS ABOUT BANGLADESH:
- The World’s Largest River Delta – Bangladesh is home to the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest and the only place where Royal Bengal Tigers are known to swim and hunt in the water.
- A Country Built on Water – With over 700 rivers, Bangladesh is so flood-prone that some schools, farms, and even hospitals are built on floating platforms to survive the monsoon season.
- The World’s Most Densely Populated Country (Outside City-States) – With 170+ million people packed into an area smaller than the UK, Bangladesh has a population density higher than India, despite having one-twelfth the land size.
GARBAGE WORKERS
It’s easy to assume Bangladesh lacks any kind of refuse system. Rubbish covers the streets—some of the worst I’ve ever seen. But a small group of workers takes on the daunting task of keeping the city clean… good luck to them! They load their improvised tuk-tuks with waste, which fills up quickly, and then dump it by hand into a skip.
Their method is incredible. They lay a sheet on the ground, pile the rubbish on top, and, with a synchronized motion, hurl it into the skip.
RECYCLING CENTRE
Here in Bangladesh, people find value in almost everything—probably not something you would expect! Small groups of laborers sort through tons of plastic and metal, working tirelessly. You can see them handling everything from controllers and door handles to car stereos. They open up each component and separate the materials. I saw kids as young as 10 years old working 10-hour days.
The recycling yard sat right on the bank of the Buriganga, exposing the city’s major issues—huge amounts of rubbish, a rapidly growing population, and a severe lack of space. What should be an iconic part of Dhaka is instead becoming one of the most polluted places in the world.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As many of us live our lives inside the bubble of the west we often don’t realize how lucky we are. Days like these are a good reminder for me and firmly puts my feet back on the ground to appreciate the things we usually take for granted.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
172/229
NEXT UP
Ijtema Bishaw, the 2nd largest Islamic gathering in the world!! Click to read.
This post is part of the Bangla Series, for the entire series click here or for episode 1, click here.
To see a different side of my trip head to my social channels; YouTube, Instagram & TikTok. Links at top of the page.
Question Time
- Which of these jobs shocked you the most?
- Could you do ay of these jobs?
- What is the worst job you have come across in your travels?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
