DOWNLOAD REPORT
The following sections represent experiences of those workers who reported being impacted by one or more extreme weather events.
90% of Bangladeshi platform workers reported experiencing work-related impacts which hinder their ability to perform efficiently, in turn lowering their productivity, ratings and income levels. Within home services, comparatively fewer, 80% workers, reported facing work impacts, possibly because they face comparatively less exposure than ridesharing and food delivery workers since their work includes home-based work outside of the elements.
We can’t work in heavy rain because the roads get completely flooded in some places. The raincoat they gave us doesn’t provide effective protection during heavy or extreme rain. It’s not really useful in such conditions. In heavy rain, it becomes difficult to enter restaurants, and often they don’t allow us inside. Our clothes get wet, and there’s a risk the food might get spoiled or cold. In that case, customers don’t want to take the food. Many times, customers say it’s raining and it will take time, and then they cancel the order. This severely affects our income and reduces our earnings. Besides, many other problems arise too.”
During extreme weather events, workers reported impacts on ability to meet food consumption needs (28%) and health (29%), affecting their overall well-being.
If we work while getting wet in the rain, we often catch a fever or a cold the next day. The same happens when it is very hot—we get a fever and a cold. Also, many people have colds and coughs during this time. Besides, working often in heavy rain or extreme heat causes fever and colds frequently. Having a fever again and again can sometimes lead to pneumonia.”
Over 90% of the workers we spoke to in Bangladesh reported receiving no assistance or support during extreme weather events.
*Types of assistance received includes emergency relief from the government, emergency relief from NGOs, compensation from platform, incentives from platform, healthcare support.
Close to one-third of the platform workers reported relying on financial support from friends and family and 11% reported spending their savings to cope with the impacts they faced.
If I cannot work, I have to borrow money to cover expenses. But borrowing is not easy from everyone. This causes some problems. When I borrow money, I have to pay extra money as interest. Sometimes they do not take money directly but in other ways. This feels very bad.”
