Gujarat : Diamond Workers Seek Pay Hike, Labour Officials on Standby

GANDHINAGAR: With Gujarat’s diamond industry showing signs of recovery after a prolonged slowdown, workers are demanding that their wages finally catch up—while also raising concerns over delays in government intervention during labour disputes.

A workers’ representation was submitted to Gujarat Labour and Employment Minister Kunvarjibhai Bavaliya in Gandhinagar, seeking additional manpower in the Labour Department and standby officials who can respond immediately if workers launch strikes in diamond-producing centres.

The demand follows a recent wage-related strike in Bhavnagar and Talaja, where workers reportedly faced delays of nearly two days in accessing legal protection because of staff shortages.

Workers’ representatives alleged that the shortage has resulted in one Labour Department officer handling two district charges, limiting the department’s ability to respond quickly to industrial disputes.

They warned that diamond workers could launch similar peaceful protests in other cities and talukas if their wage demands remain unresolved.

“Workers should get immediate legal protection during a strike. Labour Department officials must be kept on standby in districts where the diamond industry is concentrated,” Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of Diamond Workers’ Union Gujarat (DWUG) said. 

The workers claimed that the prolonged downturn in the diamond industry had sharply reduced wages, while household expenses, education costs and loan repayments continued to rise.

They also alleged that around 80 diamond workers have died by suicide over the past two years, underscoring what they described as the severe financial distress faced by sections of the workforce.

With business conditions showing improvement, workers are now seeking restoration of wages that were cut during the downturn.

The representation also urged workers in diamond-producing districts to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest. It called on police authorities to provide protection during such demonstrations and prevent employers from allegedly pressuring participating workers.

A separate representation was submitted to the Gujarat Police Chief/DGP and the Human Rights Commission, seeking safeguards against alleged illegal targeting or detention of workers participating in strikes.

The workers’ representatives said strengthening labour enforcement would be essential to prevent future disputes from escalating and ensure that workers receive timely legal protection.