15.64 percent of people have left the capital Dhaka due to the pandemic coronavirus. Besides, 17 percent of people have become unemployed and 7 percent of people have changed jobs at the time, according to survey-based on 6,738 people across the country.
The data came from a joint survey by the BRAC Institute of Governance Development (BIGD) and the Power and Participation Research Center (PPRC).
The information was revealed in a joint online press briefing of the two organizations on Tuesday. BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) Executive Director Md. Imran Matin highlighted the survey data.
Highlighting the results of the survey at the briefing, it was said that many people had migrated from the capital Dhaka to other districts during the coronavirus pandemic. “This departure rate is 15.64 percent,” the briefing said.
According to a study conducted between February and June, the income of the poorest people reduced by 34 percent in June, which means – those who used to earn Tk 100 per day in February, their income has decreased by Tk 34 in June and stood at Tk 66. As a result, the very poor have become poorer.
According to the briefing, those who had jobs in February-March also became unemployed in April-May-June. The most unemployed are women, unskilled workers and small traders and more than 50 percent of housemaid are unemployed.
The survey also said that the poverty rate in the country was 43.6 percent in April, but in June it stood at 42.8 percent. Poverty has dropped by one percent since April as the lockdown in June eased somewhat. However, before the coronavirus infection was detected in the country, the official poverty rate was 20.5 percent.
The briefing said that the income of the poor has decreased by 41 percent in June. Those who are newly at risk of poverty due to coronavirus have their incomes reduced by 42 percent in June.
However, the income of rickshaw pullers has decreased the most. Their income has decreased by about 54 percent. Then there are small traders, transport and unskilled workers. On the other hand, the income of factory workers has decreased by 16 percent.
