Gujarat Diamond Workers Seek Welfare Board for 20 Lakh Artisans

SURAT: The Diamond Workers’ Union Gujarat (DWUG) has urged the Gujarat government to establish a dedicated ‘Ratnakalakar Kalyan Board’ for diamond artisans, claiming that a large section of workers in the state’s diamond industry remains outside formal social security coverage.

In a letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, DWUG president R.D. Zilariya said around 20 lakh workers are engaged in Gujarat’s diamond industry across Surat, Navsari, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Amreli, Botad, Rajkot, Junagadh, Mahuva, Talaja, Palitana and Banaskantha.

According to the union, the industry includes small, medium and large factories, with employment ranging from around 20 workers to nearly 5,000 workers at individual units.

Zilariya claimed that more than 95% of diamond workers do not receive benefits such as Provident Fund, bonuses, paid leave, salary slips, identity cards or insurance. He also said many workers lack job and social security.

“More than 95% of these workers do not receive benefits mandated by labour laws, nor do they have adequate job security or social security,” Zilariya said in the letter.

The union said the absence of registration of many artisans with government departments also means there is limited official data on the workforce. According to DWUG, this makes it difficult to provide assistance to workers during economic crises.

The union has proposed a welfare board on the lines of the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, specifically for diamond artisans employed in small and medium-sized factories who may otherwise remain outside existing welfare frameworks.

“We demand the establishment of a Gem Artisan Welfare Board and welfare schemes covering education, healthcare and housing,” Zilariya said.

The demand comes against the backdrop of a prolonged slowdown faced by sections of Gujarat’s diamond industry. DWUG has also urged the government to create mechanisms to register diamond artisans and extend welfare schemes to eligible workers.