Minti
A Minti at Karwan Bazar carrying a bamboo basket in 2025 | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names | মিন্তি |
| Synonyms | Tukri carrier, Basket porter |
| Pronunciation |
|
Occupation type | Manual labor |
Activity sectors | Informal economy, Market logistics |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Physical strength, Endurance, Navigation within market |
Education required | On-the-job learning, traditional knowledge |
Fields of employment | Wholesale markets (e.g., Karwan Bazar, Dhaka) |
Related jobs | Market porter, Day laborer |
Minti are a labor-based group working in some of Bangladesh’s largest wholesale markets. Using bamboo baskets called tukri, they collect goods from the market and deliver them to customers’ vehicles or nearby homes. These workers are notably present in Dhaka’s largest wholesale market, Karwan Bazar.
Although the term "Minti" typically refers to these workers, some people also use it to describe the baskets they carry.
The work of Minti is physically demanding and based on daily wages. With the rise of modern transportation and technological advancements, this profession is gradually shrinking and is now considered to be on the verge of extinction. Most Minti take up this labor-intensive job due to financial hardship.