ISLAMABAD: As the holy month of Ramadan brings prayers and charity into homes, daily-wage labourers grapple with a harsh reality—living hand to mouth with empty pockets and empty plates.
The slowdown in construction and daily labour work leaves them waiting for jobs, like waiting for rain in a drought, forcing them to rely on charity just to break their fast.
Daily struggle
Shah Wali, 45, sits on the curb near Islamabad’s G-9 sector every morning, hoping for work that rarely comes. His sunburned face, calloused hands, and dust-covered shalwar kameez tell a tale of blood, sweat and tears spent on construction sites. But this Ramadan, he has barely earned enough to feed his family.
“For the past three days, I’ve had nothing to take home.” – Shah Wali, a daily-wage labourer.
“People don’t hire us much this month. They prefer waiting until after Eid for construction work,” he says, adjusting his worn-out sandals. “For the past three days, I’ve had nothing to take home.”
Shah Wali is one of the many daily wage workers—painters, masons, loaders—struggling to survive as job opportunities dry up like a well in the desert during Ramadan.
Slowdown of work
Labourers in Pakistan’s informal sector depend on daily work for survival. However, construction projects slow down during Ramadan for multiple reasons:
Reduced Working Hours: With most labourers fasting, working long hours in the scorching heat becomes difficult. Aware of the decreased productivity, contractors often put things on hold and delay hiring.
Financial Constraints: Many businesses experience lower cash flow during Ramadan, affecting payments to contractors and workers.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS)’s Labour Force Survey 2020-21, the informal sector accounts for 72.5 per cent of all non-agricultural employment in Pakistan. While employment in the construction sector rose from 8.0 per cent in 2018-19 to 9.5 per cent in 2020-21, this increase has not translated into financial stability for daily-wage workers.
The hidden crisis at home
In a small rented room on the outskirts of Islamabad, Sajida, wife of a security guard, prepares iftar with just a handful of rice and lentils, struggling to feed her four children.
“We used to have meat once a week. Now, even buying potatoes is difficult,” she says, her voice heavy with worry. “Some days, my husband doesn’t bring home a single rupee. I wait for neighbours to share food.”
“Some days, my husband doesn’t bring home a single rupee. I wait for neighbours to share food.” – Sajida, a mother of four.
Sajida’s story is not unique. Thousands of labourers’ families face food insecurity in Ramadan, relying on charity and zakat. However, misuse of donations has made it harder for the truly needy families to receive help.
Weak labour laws
Pakistan’s unemployment rate stood at 6.3 per cent in 2020-21, with urban areas like Islamabad facing even higher joblessness (7.3 per cent). While official figures show a decrease from 6.9 per cent in 2018-19, these numbers fail to capture the instability within the informal labour sector.
A World Bank Group report (2025) estimates that Pakistan’s economic growth picked up to 2.5 per cent in fiscal year (FY)2023-24, largely due to better agricultural output and increased industrial production after the lifting of import controls. Growth is projected to rise further to 2.8 per cent in FY2024-25 and 3.2 per cent in FY2025-26.
People don’t hire us much this month. They prefer waiting until after Eid for construction work.
Despite this, the report warns that tight fiscal and monetary policies will keep growth below potential, meaning informal workers will continue facing job uncertainty.
While laws like the Minimum Wages Ordinance and Punjab Industrial Relations Act exist to protect daily-wage workers, enforcement remains weak. Many labourers lack contracts, social security, or legal protections, making them vulnerable to sudden unemployment.
While Ramadan is a time of generosity, some donors are becoming cautious due to reports of fraudulent ration-seekers who take more than their fair share, collecting aid from multiple sources.
Experts suggest implementing digital tracking systems or community-based verification to ensure the fair distribution of charity and prevent misuse.
Global support models
In contrast to Pakistan’s struggling labour force, several countries provide financial relief to low-income workers during religious or cultural holidays.
In some Muslim-majority countries, governments and private entities introduce relief measures for low-income workers during Ramadan. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, for instance, facilitate Ramadan allowances, subsidised food markets, and iftar programmes.
Similarly, in Malaysia and Indonesia, financial aid initiatives for daily wage earners are common during religious festivals. Türkiye has previously implemented tax breaks and direct cash transfers for low-income families in Ramadan.
Pakistan could adopt similar models to support daily-wage workers, ensuring they do not have to rely solely on unpredictable charity.
As Ramadan continues, the struggles of daily-wage labourers highlight the urgent need for structured financial support and stronger labour protections. While generosity remains the spirit of the month, ensuring fairness in distribution and long-term employment solutions is equally crucial.
For now, Shah Wali and thousands like him will continue waiting under the scorching sun, hoping against hope that someone will offer them work before the month ends.
