For rickshaw pullers and daily wage earners in Chattogram, the national budget is less about economic policy and more about a recurring fear of rising prices that continues to strain their already fragile livelihoods.
Although many of these workers are not familiar with the details of the national budget or its fiscal measures, they say they have long experienced a pattern of price increases in the market following budget announcements.
This has created a sense of anxiety among them whenever a new budget approaches.
Residents from different parts of Chattogram city, including rickshaw pullers, day labourers, and low-income workers, shared similar experiences, saying that the cost of living – especially food items, rent, and vehicle spare parts – tends to rise after the budget, while their incomes remain unchanged.
“We don’t understand the budget, but we know that prices increase when it comes,” said Belal, a rickshaw puller from Hatiya in Noakhali, who now lives in Chattogram after losing his home to river erosion.
Belal said his house rent increased by Tk 500 recently, while the prices of rickshaw spare parts have also gone up multiple times. A bearing cover that once cost Tk 70–80 now costs around Tk 120. He added that daily deposits demanded by rickshaw owners have also increased.
“Everything is getting more expensive, but our income is not increasing,” he said, adding that the number of rickshaw drivers has increased in the city, reducing individual earnings as passengers remain the same.
Another rickshaw puller from Kaliganj in Lalmonirhat, who has been working in Chattogram for over 40 years, echoed similar concerns. In simple terms, he said, “Budget means prices go up.”
He said that earlier he used to pay a daily rickshaw rent of around Tk 10, but now he pays up to Tk 120. “After working hard all day, I earn only Tk 500–700. It is very difficult to run a family with this income,” he said.
Responding to whether income rises with rising prices, he said, “Do passengers increase? Do people pay more fare? Often there are arguments over fares. So even if prices rise, our income does not.”
The workers said prices of rice, lentils, oil, vegetables, fish, and eggs have all increased, forcing many families to cut down on fish and meat consumption. Education expenses for children have also become difficult to manage.
One rickshaw puller said beef had become a rare luxury for them. “Meat is now a dream for us. We only get it during Qurbani when people distribute it. That is our Eid,” he said.
Daily wage earners and small traders expressed similar concerns. A labourer from Chattogram’s Gate No 2 area said, “At the end of the day, going to the market feels scary. One day’s income is spent on just one meal.”
Low-income people have urged the government to take effective measures to control the prices of essential commodities in the upcoming budget. They also called for avoiding additional taxes or duties on essential goods used by working-class people, including rickshaw parts.
Belal summed up their expectations, saying, “We don’t ask for much. If rice, lentils, oil, and vegetables are affordable, we can live in peace. Being able to feed our families at the end of the day is everything for us.”
