The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) is conducting a research initiative titled “Reaching the Furthest Behind the First: A Human Rights-based Approach to Confront Extreme Poverty in Bangladesh”. The study features five vulnerable occupational groups who, despite having access to employment opportunities, remain below the poverty line. These groups remain largely undocumented and their voices are often excluded from policy discussions. Among them, the urban floating population is one of the most overlooked groups.

As part of the initiative, a multi-stakeholder consultation was convened on 19 October 2025 in Dhaka, co-hosted by CPD and the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh. The consultation specifically examined the conditions of the urban floating population in Dhaka, a key focus area of the study. The session was chaired by Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, CPD and Core Group Member, Citizen’s Platform. Mr Towfiqul Islam Khan, Additional Director (Research), CPD, presented the preliminary findings focused on the urban floating population. Dr Mohammad Abu Eusuf, Professor at the Department of Development Studies of Dhaka University and Executive Director of RAPID, also attended the discussion.

Participants in the discussion highlighted that a key issue associated with their condition is their lack of formal recognition and the neglect from authorities and NGOs regarding their situation. The participants stated that many services that were available to others was not provided to them at all. These included access to Red Cards that provided discounts at medical facilities, TCB cards that allowed them to buy food at a discounted price, and social safety net protections which would provide them with some relief if they were ever covered.

Significant challenges were also faced in their areas of residence due to their lack of facilities with the most common being damages caused by flooding, a problem exacerbated by the lack of drains. The areas they lived in were also deprived of facilities such as medical centers and schools which participants stated were far away and would cost money that they scarcely had. Drinking water was also highlighted as an issue by the participants as the slums and poorer areas lacked proper water supply, this also created problems regarding their sanitation and hygiene issues.

The lack of access to information was also brought up during the discussion with many participants unaware of facilities being provided to them such as rehabilitation centers and child shelters. They were also unaware of the true costs of acquiring basic services such as a birth certificate as they relied on workers in the offices to provide them information and were unable to access online information due to their digital illiteracy.

The most striking problem they identified was the alarming drug abuse and violence in the areas they resided. Drug abuse has become common among the communities, especially among the youth, this is inter-related with safety concerns associated with violence in the area associated with youth gangs, many of whom are affiliated with political groups and criminal activities. The participants particularly highlighted that this has worsened with little to no response from law enforcement.

Representatives from development organisations raised similar concerns but in particular highlighted the lack of an urban policy in Bangladesh. Much of the systemic issues highlighted previously was due to the lack of recognition of the population in official policy and even a lack of proper statistics on the slum population. This lack of recognition not only exacerbates the poor conditions they are in but essentially subjects them to a poverty trap with little chance of escape.

The dialogue brought together representatives from the urban floating population, community leaders, development practitioners and civil society representatives. The initiative received technical and financial support from UNICEF, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNDP Bangladesh, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and UN Women. Local implementation support was provided by the Coalition for Urban Poverty.