Riding Through Hardship: Elderly Rickshaw Pullers Struggle to Survive

Md Ekdil Hossain, a 68-year-old rickshaw puller from Chapainawabganj, grips the handles of his rickshaw tightly as he weaves through the streets of Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka.

The weight of his passengers is nothing compared to the burden on his shoulders—the responsibility of feeding his family back in his village.

“I have two sons who are studying, and my daughter recently faced a breakup. If I don’t pull rickshaw, what will my family eat?” he asked, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

Like him, many elderly men have left their villages in search of work in the capital, taking up hard labor to survive. With no steady income, no retirement support, and little help from the state, they rely on sheer physical endurance, even as age takes its toll.

Elderly at the Mercy of Hard Labor
In Dhaka’s bustling streets, rickshaws remain a key mode of transport, and many of the people pedaling them are well past their prime. Mohammad Zakaria, around 70, from Haripur in Chapainawabganj, spends his days transporting passengers under the sweltering sun.

“I have one son and one daughter. My daughter is married, and my son is studying in college. But I am the only breadwinner. If I stop working, how will we survive?” he said.

Another elderly rickshaw puller, Abdus Samad, 65, from Kurigram, has been engaged in this trade for nearly a decade. Before shifting to Bashundhara, he worked in Mirpur, but no matter where he goes, the struggle remains the same.

“Poverty forced me into this. I have no other choice,” he said simply.

Then there are those who endure even greater difficulties. One rickshaw puller from Rangpur, who is hearing impaired, can barely communicate with passengers.

His disability makes it difficult to negotiate fares, but against all odds, he continues to work, knowing there is no alternative.

Many elderly people continue working not just due to financial necessity but also because of societal attitudes. Studies indicate that elder abuse—ranging from emotional neglect to financial exploitation—is a widespread issue.

National Aging Resource Center on Elderly Abuse (NARCEA) reported that senior citizens are exposed to 37.2% most frequent types of elder abuse, 26.3% physical abuse, 20% financial or material exploitation, and 11% emotional abuse.

The Unseen Contributions of the Elderly
These men are among thousands of elderly Bangladeshis who engage in strenuous labor to support themselves and their families.

Despite their age, they remain an integral part of the economy, providing essential services while receiving little recognition or assistance.

Experts argue that the elderly population should not be seen as a burden but as a valuable asset. Studies show that many older individuals contribute significantly to household and economic stability, taking care of grandchildren and engaging in informal work.

“Our society holds some myths and prejudices towards the aging, which include ‘rocking chair syndrome’ where the assumption is that an old person’s daily routine consists of napping in their rocking chairs; unproductive, due to lack of participation in the labor market, sick, dependent, and generally useless,” a research article from Science Alert states.

“…a myth prevails in society that the older people get much but do nothing, which is also socially constructed. But elder people in Bangladeshi family life contribute much by their active involvement in child care and domestic work. Data from various researches revealed that older people provide valuable contributions to the well-being and livelihood of the family by taking responsibility for household activities, freeing younger family members to seek work outside the home,” the article adds.

Despite these contributions, financial insecurity forces many elderly individuals into hard labor. A statistics report from 1994 revealed that 77% of elderly people lacked income to meet basic needs, while 71.4% were dependent on siblings for livelihood.

Following the indifference of relatives and the advancement of work opportunities, the situation has changed, with plenty of elderly people now engaged in hard labor, though their earnings remain insufficient to ensure a dignified life.

A Call for Greater Support
With Bangladesh’s elderly population projected to reach 20% by 2050, concerns are growing over how the country will support its aging citizens.

According to a report by HelpAge, over 13 million people in Bangladesh were aged over 60 as of 2019, making up 8% of the population. By 2050, this figure will rise to 40 million.

Citizens above 60 or 65 years are entitled to state support under the Social Safety Net, but many remain unemployed or earn too little to sustain themselves.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) noted that until 1990, government concern for older people was confined to public sector employees, who represented only 5% of the labor force and 1% of the elderly population.

Experts emphasize the need to expand government initiatives such as the Social Safety Net (SSN), pension schemes, and direct financial aid to alleviate the struggles of elderly workers.

Aging is inevitable, but suffering should not be. As Md Ekdil Hossain pedals on, carrying the weight of his passengers and his responsibilities, his story is a reminder that behind every rickshaw on the street, there is a human struggle—one that deserves to be seen, heard, and addressed.

Universal Pension System Needs to be Poor-Friendly

Bangladesh has recently introduced a Universal Pension System. However, pension seekers are required to deposit money every month, which poor people cannot afford.

While the universal pension scheme promises financial security for all citizens, its requirement for monthly contributions poses a major hurdle for low-income workers like rickshaw pullers, who struggle to meet even their daily expenses. Without savings or a stable income, many are effectively excluded from the scheme, despite being among the most vulnerable.

Md Ekdil Hossain, the 68-year-old rickshaw puller from Chapainawabganj, acknowledged the introduction of the universal pension scheme but questioned its feasibility for low-income workers like him.

"The government is asking us to deposit money every month, but where will we get the savings for that? We barely earn enough to eat," he said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "If the government really wants to help, they should pay the installments for poor workers like us from the treasury fund."