With a slump in demand for gold ornaments and decline in their wages and job opportunities, many goldsmiths and artisans are opting either to leave the traditional profession or migrate to another country.

Jewellery traders and goldsmiths said the number of gold users is falling gradually due to the rise in gold price and easy availability of cheaper gold-plated imitation ornaments and stone-made ones.

Besides, they said, the jewellery sector has been losing its customers as the price of gold is much higher in the country compared to the international market and the neighbouring country for lack of a national gold policy.

They said many jewellery shops at Tanti Bazar in the capital and different parts of the country have been closed over the last several years as the orders for gold ornaments have almost halved, forcing many goldsmiths and artisans to switch to other professions.

According to Bangladesh Jewellery Samity, around 15,000 Sharna Shilpy (goldsmiths and artisans) were in the capital seven to eight years ago. The figure has now come down to 4,000-5,000.

Besides, nearly 3.5 lakh people used to work as goldsmiths and artisans 10 years back. Nearly one third of them quit the profession.

The samity leaders also said around 10,000 traders are currently involved in the jewellery sector.

Enamul Hoque Dolan, vice president of the samity, said a large number of skilled goldsmiths, involved in the sector for generations, have already changed their profession. Many also left the country in search of better jobs.

Also, many people now prefer to buy imported and readymade ornaments. “Many are bringing gold ornaments from India through illegal channels as the prices are lower there,” he alleged.

He said a well thought-out national gold import and export policy is a must to protect the country's jewellery sector and ensure welfare of the goldsmiths.

Dinesh Chandra Paul, general secretary of Sharna Shilpi Sramik Shangha, said, “Many goldsmiths and artisans are turning into small vendors and vegetable sellers. Also, some are migrating to the neighbouring country...”

The young generation is also not showing any interest in their traditional profession.

Dinesh, who used to employ around 80-100 goldsmiths at his jewellery factory 10 years back, has now 12 workers due to the drastic fall in demand, he said.

Shipon Banik, owner of a jewellery shop at Tanti Bazar, said though they have been in the business for generations, they are now facing a serious challenge to continue it.

He said 10 goldsmiths used to work for him before; he has only two goldsmiths now.

Tanmoy Karmakar, who has long been working at a jewellery shop at Baitul Mukarram market, said he is now training to be a driver in order to support his five-member family.

Nikhil Jadob, who used to work as a goldsmith for the past 20 years at Tanti Bazar, now sells vegetables to support his family.

“I started making jewellery when I was 12. I used to earn Tk 10,000 to 12,000 a month even seven to eight years back. Now it's difficult to earn even Tk 4,000 per month.”