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AyRojgar
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Mixed experienceA key cutter in Dhaka, in a Prothom Alo report

From 600-700 a day down to 200-250, with 3,000 taka of rent

Key cutting once brought 600-700 taka a day; now it brings 200-250, against 3,000 taka of rent.

This key cutter in Uttara used to take 600-700 taka a day. The day now brings 200-250, against rent of 3,000 taka a month. Digital locks and ready-made keys have taken much of the work, though enough hand work remains that the stall has not closed. Income is down, but low costs and long-standing customers keep it open.

Lessons

  1. 1.New technology can quietly cut demand for hand work: base your figures on today, not on what the trade once paid
  2. 2.A low-cost stall survives a bad stretch; a high-rent one does not

Published with the person's permission, without revealing who they are.

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