GJEPC holds programme to support Surat’s diamond workers

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Sep 27, 2019

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council held a seminar and awareness programme in Surat to help the area’s workers confront the current challenges in the sector. 

On September 21, the GJEPC hosted an “Abhay” seminar in the diamond hub of Surat to combat a number of suicides in the sector following the recent slowdown and subsequent unemployment, the GJEPC posted on its website. A number of units in Surat’s diamond sector have been forced to shut down and many are calling the current climate a recession. The GJEPC aimed to raise awareness about mental health in this challenging time.

Over 400 artisans and small and medium enterprise holders took part in the programme which was supported by the Surat Diamond Association and Ratankalakar Vikas Sangh as well as several NGOs including Parenting for Peace and Soch. The GJEPC hopes that, by educating workers on mental health, the rising number of suicides in the gem and jewellery sector can be countered.

The GJEPC’s Gujarat Regional Chairman, Dinesh Navadiya, spoke at the event and cited the recent GST Council policy revisions following the organisation’s 37th general meeting as cause for hope. Navadiya said that the current situation will improve and assured that the Union Government is taking measures to help micro, small, and medium enterprises. 

Other speakers at the event included Surat’s Commissioner of Police Harikrishna Patel and psychiatrists Arti Mehta and  Mukul Choksi. The GJEPC also took the opportunity to hold a registration camp for the gem and jewellery Parichay Card.