The Diamond Workers Union Gujarat (DWUG) Monday urged the state government to announce an economic package and the revival of the Ratnadeep scheme for the recession-hit industry.
The union has also demanded financial aid to the families of diamond polishers who had died by suicide, in addition to the formation of a welfare board for the workers and the abolition of professional tax. On Monday, the union members, led by DWUG Surat president Bhavesh Tank, handed over a memorandum to Surat District Collector stating their demands.
Under the Ratnadeep Kaushalya Vardhak Scheme, which was introduced during the 2008 recession, workers were given a stipend for skill upgradation. The scheme was discontinued in 2012.
Surat’s diamond industry, which employs over six lakh workers, has been hit by twin Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars leading to job losses and salary cuts. The recession saw factory owners reducing the working hours and hence, polishers got wages depending on the work done instead of a fixed salary.
Meanwhile, Tank said DWUG, which launched a suicide helpline earlier this month, has received more than 1,500 calls so far. “…over 70 per cent calls are from diamond polishers rendered jobless. We have also distributed over 60 rations kits to the workers’ families, which will last three months. We have also prepared a list of the children of diamond polishers whose fees are pending in the schools and are working on it to get the donors,” he said.
According to the memorandum, more than 60 diamond polishers had died by suicide in the past 18 months due to financial constraints. “There are many diamond factories who have declared holidays three days a week resulting in low salaries,” it stated.
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