In Bangladesh, coronavirus wreaks havoc on livelihoods, turning back economic gains

Rubel, 55, has been a waste-picker for 41 years. He has a wife and three kids.

Before the lockdown, he earned between 500 and 600 taka a day (around $6 to $7). Now, he makes less than 200 taka (a little less than $2).

“Generally, while walking on the street, I used to find cardboard, plastic bottles, glass bottles, many more things,” he said. “Now I cannot even find plastic bottles. Sometimes I read the newspaper or ask other people about this pandemic. I came to know that the infected cases are rising day by day.“