Health and Education Support for 10K Surat Diamond workers

Surat, Gujarat  — A city that sparkles globally for its diamond cutting and polishing — has seen its shine dimmed in recent years as the gem and jewellery sector faces a prolonged recession. The once-bustling polishing units now echo with the uncertainty of job losses and dwindling incomes. For the thousands of skilled artisans who shaped the sparkle of the world’s diamonds, survival has become a daily struggle in the diamond city of Surat.

But amid these difficult times, a heartening initiative by the Diamond Workers Union Gujarat (DWUG) and GJEPC (Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council) has emerged as a much-needed lifeline — offering not only health security but also hope for a brighter future for their children.

As part of this collaborative initiative, health insurance coverage of ₹35,000 is being extended to 10,000 diamond artisans in Surat. This coverage will provide critical health protection during medical emergencies — a service many workers couldn’t afford during the economic downturn.

The initiative goes beyond just immediate relief. To support the next generation, educational books and literature will also be distributed to the children of these artisans, ensuring that financial struggles do not force them to abandon their education.

Speaking about this effort, Bhavesh Tank, Vice President of the Diamond Workers Union, said,“Today, when gem artists are facing employment and health-related crises, our goal is to ensure that they get health security and that the future of their children does not become dark. We always stand with gem artists.”

The process of enrollment for this scheme has already started, with form submissions open until May 20, 2025. Volunteers and union members have been proactively reaching out to workers to help them apply and avail of the benefits.

This thoughtful gesture couldn’t have come at a better time. Daily wage diamond workers, who once earned enough to live with dignity, have been pushed into a corner by market slowdowns and shrinking export orders. Many have had to borrow to cover medical emergencies or withdraw their children from school due to rising costs.

Manojbhai Patel, a diamond polisher from Katargam, expressed his relief:“I had stopped my daughter’s school books this year because we couldn’t afford them. This scheme feels like a blessing from God. It brings back dignity to our lives.”