Surat: One in Five Diamond Workers Quit over Low Wages August 04, 21 by
(IDEX Online) - One in five diamond workers have quit their jobs in Surat because of low wages, says a u
nion boss.
Factory owners are also accused of failing to pay artisans wages during India s Covid lockdowns, o
r of reducing them by as much as 25 per cent. That s despite a spike in demand from consumers in the USA a
nd China.
The Diamond Workers Union is demanding a 20 per cent pay increase, claiming wages have not risen for five years. The diamond industry has boomed in 2020-21, the union s vice president Bhavesh Tank told the
Gujarat: Diamond workers in Surat quitting jobs due to low wages ANI | Updated: Jul 27, 2021 09:17 IST
Surat (Gujarat) [India], July 27 (ANI): The diamond industry in Surat is facing a shortage of workers as they are quitting jobs due to low wages.
As the COVID cases are decreasing across the world the diamond industry is booming again. Diamond Workers Union says that there is a high demand for polished diamonds in the international market due to which the export of polished diamonds and jewelery has increased. But diamond workers in Surat have not benefited from this.
The union says the diamond merchants are reluctant to increase the salaries of workers despite the increase in work.
Gujarat: Diamond workers in Surat quitting jobs longbeachstar.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from longbeachstar.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Workers claimed that their salaries have not been increased for the last five years. Even during the lockdown many companies did not pay salaries while many deducted the salaries by 20-25%.
SURAT: Diamond workers on Wednesday demanded a hike in their salaries saying that the industry is going through a good phase.
Members and office-bearers of Diamond Workers Union submitted a memorandum to the president of Surat Diamond Association demanding that the salaries of all diamond workers should be increased by 20% and free treatment should be provided to them and their family members at Surat Diamond Hospital. Workers claimed that their salaries have not been increased for the last five years. Even during the lockdown many companies did not pay salaries while many deducted the salaries by 20-25%.
Production of polished diamonds in Surat declines by 25% in April
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Production has taken a hit at a time when the trade is witnessing strong demand from the US and Chinese markets, diamantaires said.
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Production of polished diamonds in Surat has declined by 25% in April compared with March due to rising Covid-19 infection among workers and exodus of migrant workers from the city in fear of the pandemic, industry insiders said.
Production has taken a hit at a time when the trade is witnessing strong demand from the US and Chinese markets, diamantaires said.
They are cutting down the import of rough diamonds as production has dwindled, which is likely to soften the prices of rough diamonds. India cuts and polishes 14 out of 15 diamonds in the world.