How fuel prices have been affecting home-based workers (HBWs)

The current global fuel crisis is placing growing pressure on home-based workers (HBW) in Nepal. According to HBWs from SABAH, while increases in petrol prices have not yet significantly affected transportation costs, the shortage of cooking gas has disrupted daily life in more immediate ways. Workers describe long waiting periods to access gas cylinders, making it difficult to manage household and work responsibilities.

At the production level, the impact is beginning to appear more gradually. Although many workers still have access to raw materials, there is increasing concern about rising costs in the near future. Some have already observed steady price hikes in essential inputs, forcing them to absorb losses as product prices at their cafes remain unchanged. Additionally, a noticeable decline in customer flow has compounded the impacts on their incomes. 

Thus, there exists a growing uncertainty. While livelihoods have not yet been completely disrupted, HBWs anticipate that continued shortages and rising costs will significantly affect their stability, productivity, and well-being in the coming months.