GJEPC gives aid to Surat-based artisans amid slowdown

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Mar 17, 2020

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council’s Surat regional office has disbursed school fees for the children of jewellery artisans hit by the current industry slowdown directly to schools, in a bid to relieve the sector.

 
As part of its Project Pratibha, the GJEPC held a programme in Surat on March 11 to pay pending school fees for artisans’ children to the respective schools as many artisans have found themselves unemployed in Surat, the organisation announced on its website. The programme was attended by over 50 schools, over 200 parents, and over 100 students.
 
The GJEPC’s regional chairman for Gujarat, Dinesh Navadiya, addressed the gathering and outlined how an industry slowdown over the past eight to ten months has caused many manufacturing units to close operations or reduce production.

Navadiya explained that the slowdown has caused unemployment and reduced salaries for many of those still employed, which puts the school careers of workers’ children in danger. 
 
Prior to the programme, a group of volunteers under the banner of the Diamond Industry Career Foundation and Ratna Abhushan Welfare Trust, Surat carried out a survey and ascertained that around 300 students at around 140 schools needed help to continue their education.

The GJEPC harnessed the Gem and Jewellery National Relief Foundation’s funds to pay schools a total of Rs 16.7 lakh ($22,590.92) in school fees. 
 
The slowdown in Surat’s jewellery sector is currently showing no signs of lifting. With government measures and trade disruption caused by the spread of coronavirus, the industry may find the slowdown continues far into the 2021 financial year.