Cold hits the poor as prices of used woollen clothes skyrocket

A cold spell coupled with dense fog is sweeping the south-western part of the country, including Khulna and its neighbouring districts. The intensity of cold begins after midday and worsens in the evening, with the homeless being the worst affected. Md Hasanul Banna, duty observer of Khulna Met Office, said they recorded the lowest temperature of 14.5 degrees Celsius on December 23 and 13.7 degrees Celsius on December 22. With the homeless taking refuge in the corridors of markets and railway stations to escape the cold, roads are becoming deserted after nightfall. Only a few have the comfort of a blanket. Traders are cashing in on the situation, raising the price of second-hand clothes.
Moslem Uddin, a stall owner at Dakbungalow Mor under Sadar police station, said, “Second-hand clothes are being sold at a premium and sales have almost doubled recently.” It is a tough time for people from the lower income group, who have had to rush to towns to buy old woollens. But the prices have doubled since last year and many have had to return empty-handed.
Day labourer Abdul Aziz rued, “I earn Tk. 200 to Tk. 250 daily to take care of my five-member family. I have no money to buy warm clothes and it’s difficult to go to work in the morning chill.” Hawkers are making brisk business selling winter wear and blankets at makeshift roadside stalls. Apart from pavement stalls, woollens are being sold at Khanjahan Ali Hawkers’ Market, Moshiur Rahman Hawkers’ Market, Railway Hawkers’ Market, Rupsha Ferry Ghat Market, the Khalishpur industrial area, and Daulatpur in the city.
A wrapper is being sold for Tk. 200–250, while a blanket costs Tk. 350–500. A woollen sweater costs Tk. 250–350, a coat Tk. 400–550, a cardigan Tk. 200–300 and children’s wear Tk. 140–200.
Shopkeepers said demand for shawls and blankets has been very high this year. They believe sales of warm clothes will further go up in the days to come.Rickshaw-puller Yusuf Ali said he could not afford warm clothes for his children. “My nine-year-old daughter Salma is suffering a lot as I can't buy her warm clothes. Despite huge supply, second-hand clothes are selling at exorbitant prices,” he complained.
Shopkeepers at hawkers’ markets blamed the rising price of imported clothes and inflated carrying costs for the price hike. Rabeya Khatun, 25, who lives in a shanty by the railway tracks behind Shilpa Bank, could not buy winter clothes for her baby. Many like her have no option but to sit around a bonfire to keep themselves warm.People like her urged the government, charitable organisations and those well off to arrange more winter clothes for the poor on humanitarian grounds.

 

Cold hits the poor as prices of used woollen clothes skyrocket

A cold spell coupled with dense fog is sweeping the south-western part of the country, including Khulna and its neighbouring districts. The intensity of cold begins after midday and worsens in the evening, with the homeless being the worst affected. Md Hasanul Banna, duty observer of Khulna Met Office, said they recorded the lowest temperature of 14.5 degrees Celsius on December 23 and 13.7 degrees Celsius on December 22. With the homeless taking refuge in the corridors of markets and railway stations to escape the cold, roads are becoming deserted after nightfall. Only a few have the comfort of a blanket. Traders are cashing in on the situation, raising the price of second-hand clothes. Moslem Uddin, a stall owner at Dakbungalow Mor under Sadar police station, said, Second-hand clothes are being sold at a premium and sales have almost doubled recently. It is a tough time for people from the lower income group, who have had to rush to towns to buy old woollens. But the prices have doubled since last year and many have had to return empty-handed. Day labourer Abdul Aziz rued, I earn Tk. 200 to Tk. 250 daily to take care of my five-member family. I have no money to buy warm clothes and its difficult to go to work in the morning chill. Hawkers are making brisk business selling winter wear and blankets at makeshift roadside stalls. Apart from pavement stalls, woollens are being sold at Khanjahan Ali Hawkers Market, Moshiur Rahman Hawkers Market, Railway Hawkers Market, Rupsha Ferry Ghat Market, the Khalishpur industrial area, and Daulatpur in the city. A wrapper is being sold for Tk. 200250, while a blanket costs Tk. 350500. A woollen sweater costs Tk. 250350, a coat Tk. 400550, a cardigan Tk. 200300 and childrens wear Tk. 140200. Shopkeepers said demand for shawls and blankets has been very high this year. They believe sales of warm clothes will further go up in the days to come.Rickshaw-puller Yusuf Ali said he could not afford warm clothes for his children. My nine-year-old daughter Salma is suffering a lot as I cant buy her warm clothes. Despite huge supply, second-hand clothes are selling at exorbitant prices, he complained. Shopkeepers at hawkers markets blamed the rising price of imported clothes and inflated carrying costs for the price hike. Rabeya Khatun, 25, who lives in a shanty by the railway tracks behind Shilpa Bank, could not buy winter clothes for her baby. Many like her have no option but to sit around a bonfire to keep themselves warm.People like her urged the government, charitable organisations and those well off to arrange more winter clothes for the poor on humanitarian grounds.