Carpenter's Low Payment Spreads Debate on Compensation for Blue-Collar Work

Blue-Collar Jobs Emerge as Potential Strong Income Generators Amidst AI Concerns

At a time when conversations around artificial intelligence disrupting jobs are growing louder, a viral post on X has shifted focus to an unlikely space: blue-collar work. The post has triggered a wider debate on whether skilled manual jobs could emerge as strong income generators in the future, especially as they remain largely untouched by automation.

The discussion began after a user with the handle Bhandari ka Vyang shared a personal experience that caught attention online.

The user paid the carpenter Rs 900 for a 45-minute job installing some shelves and hanging a couple of paintings. They argued that blue-collar jobs are the future and that skill-based training for youth should be prioritised over other obsolete degrees. Additionally, they claimed that there is no threat from AI either.

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Social media reactions came in, with many weighing in on the economics and sustainability of such jobs. While some agreed that skilled trades are undervalued and could see higher demand, others pushed back against what they called an oversimplified take.

One user argued that such tasks are not necessarily high-skill, pointing out that many people can learn basic installation work through online tutorials in YouTube and do it themselves, reducing dependency on paid services.

Another raised a broader economic concern, questioning the long-term viability of blue-collar dominance. They pointed out that if white-collar jobs decline significantly, the demand for such services could also shrink, since fewer people may be able to afford them.

The debate wasn't limited to India. International users also shared their experiences, highlighting how skilled labour often commands premium rates globally. For example, one user paid €200 for a short flooring repair job, describing how the worker arrived in a luxury car and appeared financially well-off. Another said they paid Rs 1,400 for a bicycle servicing job, noting the professional appearance of the technician.

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