Report on Perspectives of Rickshaw Pullers on
Development
Abstract
This qualitative study explores the perceptions and experiences of three rickshaw
pullers in Chittagong city concerning the concept and realities of development.
Through semi-structured interviews, the research uncovers their multidimensional
understanding of development, their attitudes towards ongoing socio-economic
transformations, and their aspirations for future progress. The findings highlight
significant challenges related to economic insecurity, limited access to healthcare
and education, infrastructural deficiencies, and social marginalization. Utilizing
the Communication for Development (C4D) framework, the study underscores
the necessity of participatory approaches that empower marginalized groups as
active stakeholders in shaping sustainable and equitable development. The report
concludes with recommendations for inclusive development policies that integrate
grassroots perspectives, ultimately aiming to improve the livelihoods and well-
being of informal urban workers.
Introduction
Development is a broad and dynamic process that transcends economic growth to
include social equity, political participation, and human well-being. Traditional
indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or infrastructural expansions,
while important, often mask the lived realities of marginalized communities. In
Bangladesh, informal workers like rickshaw pullers form a vital component of
urban transportation systems but continue to face socio-economic challenges
including poverty, poor health, and exclusion from formal social protections.
This report investigates the understanding of development from the perspectives
of three rickshaw pullers in Chittagong, reflecting a bottom-up viewpoint often
missing from development discourses. Grounded in Communication for
Development (C4D) principles, the study emphasizes the role of dialogue,
participation, and empowerment in fostering sustainable development outcomes.
By capturing the voices of these informal workers, the report seeks to contribute
to more inclusive, just, and context-sensitive development practices in
Bangladesh.
Respondents’ Profiles
Participant 1: Kutubuddin
Age: 35 years
Education: No formal schooling
Rickshaw Pulling Experience: 8 years
Family Composition: Wife (homemaker), two school-going children, father (small
business), mother (homemaker)
Background: Migrated from rural Bangladesh to urban Chittagong seeking better
livelihood opportunities. Kutubuddin represents younger informal workers
balancing economic survival and parental aspirations for their children’s
education.
Participant 2: Rokon Mia
Age: 45 years
Education: No formal schooling
Rickshaw Pulling Experience: 18 years
Family Composition: Wife (homemaker), two married daughters
Background: Long-term urban resident, with extensive experience in the informal
sector and deep knowledge of socio-political changes affecting urban labor.
Participant 3: Babu Mia
Age: 55 years
Education: No formal schooling
Rickshaw Pulling Experience: 30 years
Family Composition: Wife (homemaker), two married daughters, one son (auto-
rickshaw driver)
Background: Migrated decades ago from a poor rural family, representing the
older generation of informal urban laborers enduring physical hardship and
seeking improved social protections.
Methodology
This study employs a qualitative research design to explore the perspectives of
marginalized informal workers on development.
Purposive sampling was used to select three rickshaw pullers with varying ages
and years of experience to capture diverse viewpoints.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Bangla, each lasting approximately
30-40 minutes.
Interviews were audio-recorded with participant consent, transcribed verbatim,
and translated into English for thematic analysis. Thematic coding was applied to
identify core themes related to participants' understanding of development,
attitudes, and aspirations.
Ethical considerations were paramount: participants provided informed consent,
confidentiality was maintained, and care was taken to respect their dignity
throughout the research process. The study also incorporated reflexivity by
acknowledging the researcher’s positionality and striving to minimize bias.
Development Concept of Participants
The three rickshaw pullers conceptualize development as a multidimensional
phenomenon centered on human well-being rather than mere economic indicators.
Basic Needs Fulfillment: Participants unanimously emphasized food security,
clean water, housing, and reliable income as foundational elements of
development. Kutubuddin expressed, “Development means people should eat well
and not suffer from hunger.”
Access to Essential Services: Infrastructure improvements such as good roads,
regular electricity, and accessible healthcare emerged as critical components.
Babu Mia highlighted the pressing need for nearby hospitals to manage health
crises inherent in physically demanding work.
Educational Opportunities: Education was universally regarded as a gateway to
improved livelihoods and social mobility. Participants hoped their children would
attain schooling and secure better employment, breaking cycles of poverty.
Peace and Social Stability: Peaceful living conditions were linked directly to
development. Rokon Mia noted that a peaceful environment enables restful sleep
and productive work.
This holistic view reflects key development theories such as Amartya Sen’s
Capability Approach (1999), which prioritizes expanding people’s freedoms to
lead lives they value.
Attitude Towards Development
While recognizing some infrastructural progress (e.g., road paving, reduced
power outages), participants voiced skepticism about the equitable distribution of
development benefits.
Acknowledgement of Progress: Kutubuddin acknowledged improvements
facilitating easier transportation during adverse weather.
Concerns about Corruption and Nepotism: Participants expressed distrust toward
institutions, perceiving development resources and aid to be diverted toward
relatives or politically connected individuals rather than the truly needy.
Limited Participation: None had direct involvement in development projects,
highlighting the exclusion of informal workers from decision-making processes.
These attitudes underscore the importance of transparent, participatory
development communication, as theorized by Servaes (1999), to foster trust and
genuine empowerment.
Thinking of Development
Participants’ reflections underscore development as a process demanding equity,
justice, and sustainability:
Equity: Benefits should reach marginalized groups equitably, addressing the
systemic barriers they face.
Holistic Well-being: Material improvements alone are insufficient without social
justice, health, and security.
Urban-Rural Divide: The participants observed stark differences in development
levels between rural villages and urban areas, prompting migration but also
highlighting the need for balanced regional development.
This aligns with contemporary human development frameworks advocating
integrated, multidimensional approaches to growth.
Future Thoughts on Development
The participants’ future aspirations focus on foundational improvements:
Peace and Security: Universally viewed as a precondition for sustainable
development.
Expanded Educational Access: To equip future generations with tools for
economic and social advancement.
Improved Healthcare Facilities: To reduce vulnerabilities related to occupational
hazards and general well-being.
Economic Stability and Social Safety Nets: To protect informal workers from
shocks and income insecurity.
These visions are consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
particularly Goals 1, 3, and 4.
What They Want to Do as Development Practitioners
Despite their marginalization, participants expressed a willingness to actively
contribute to community development by:
Promoting cleanliness and environmental awareness.
Encouraging education among youth.
Supporting mutual aid and solidarity within their peer networks.
Participating in local governance if empowered.
Their readiness reflects the empowerment dimension of C4D, which positions
communities as agents of their own development rather than passive recipients.
Thematic Discussion
Theme 1: Development as Human-Centered Livelihood Security
Participants’ narratives highlight the primacy of basic needs fulfillment and
human dignity as development priorities, emphasizing poverty alleviation.
Theme 2: Infrastructure as Enabler
Infrastructure improvements, while necessary, are viewed as supportive rather
than definitive of development, requiring complementary social services.
Theme 3: Institutional Distrust and the Need for Transparency
Widespread mistrust in governmental and non-governmental institutions
underlines the necessity of transparent, accountable communication channels.
Theme 4: Migration Driven by Uneven Development
The urban influx reflects disparities in opportunity, underscoring the importance
of integrated urban-rural development policies.
Theme 5: Community Engagement and Empowerment
Participants’ desire to engage in development practices signals untapped potential
for grassroots-led change facilitated by inclusive communication.
Personal Reflection
Conducting this study offered valuable insights into the complexities underlying
development from marginalized perspectives. It reinforced the fundamental role
of communication in bridging gaps between policy intentions and grassroots
realities. The participants' stories highlight the necessity for development
approaches that are dialogic, culturally sensitive, and inclusive. This experience
will profoundly influence my future academic pursuits and professional approach
in Communication for Development.
Conclusion
The voices of rickshaw pullers reveal a rich, humanized understanding of
development encompassing basic needs, social justice, peace, and opportunity.
Their experiences challenge conventional, growth-centric development models
and call for participatory, equitable approaches that integrate marginalized
communities as equal partners.
The Communication for Development framework emerges as an essential tool to
facilitate empowerment, transparency, and social inclusion in urban development
policy and practice. Including informal workers’ voices can foster more
sustainable, just, and impactful development outcomes in Bangladesh.
References
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Servaes, J. (1999). Communication for Development: One World, Multiple
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UNDP. (2023). Bangladesh Human Development Report. United Nations
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Rahman, M. M., & Rana, M. M. (2017). Informal Workers in Bangladesh’s Urban
Economy: A Case Study of Rickshaw Pullers. Journal of Development Studies,
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Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Labor Force Survey.