As the COVID-19 cases remain unchecked in Bangladesh, the government has announced a ban on bike ride-sharing services, leaving over a lakh people employed in the sector jobless, reported Daily Star. 

The decision was taken to maintain health safety guidelines and social distancing measures but the move has not gone down well with the people whose livelihood depends on it. Several unions and bikers on Thursday protested the ban in capital Dhaka. 

A group of bikers also blocked an important highway in the capital. 

According to the report, ride-sharing had begun as a concept where commuters can "share" their rides with fellow commuters traversing the same route in Dhaka city. Ride-sharing is undertaken as a business by riders who adopt it as means to an easily available livelihood.

Last year’s lockdown left many people jobless; many among them then opted for ride-sharing services as a means to support their families. 

“This decision is not just bad for me, it can literally mean that my family has to starve to death," said Al Amin, a 35-year-old man, who was retrenched last year from the job of floor manager. He then took the ride-sharing service to support his family.