Surat Dimantraires give aid to jobless diamond workers

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Sep 12, 2019

A group of diamantaires in Surat have taken measures to help provide for the growing number of jobless diamond workers in the area as the diamond cutting industry continues to see a slowdown.

A number of diamond exporters and business owners have surveyed and taken measures to provide for unemployed diamond workers as the industry continues to struggle, TNN reported. US and Dubai-based donors have collection around Rs 80 lakh of funds to use to help the unemployed workers. 

“Our primary survey found 300 jobless diamond workers in dire need of help,” diamond exporter Nilesh Bodara told the Times of India. “Accordingly, we will prepare grocery kit with the material that could last them for five months.” Bodara said that there was, however, no provision for cash distribution at present.

So far, the group of diamantaires have distributed resources to around 50 unemployed workers. Distributed items include sugar, flour, pulses, and other daily-use grocery items. A number of diamond workers associations from Gujarat have also approached the state government for assistance on the matter. 

“I have not seen such recession in the diamond industry in the last 25 years of career,” said Bodara, seeing little hope for the immediate future. “A diamond worker who was earning Rs 15,000 ($210.51) per month now gets less than Rs 6,000. I believe that things are going to be worse after the Diwali vacation.”