From Diamonds to Fabric: Surat’s Workforce Finds New Hope in Textile Industry

Surat, Gujarat : The calloused hands that once meticulously cut and polished the world’s most precious stones now thread and weave fabric in India’s largest man-made textile hub. In Surat, Gujarat, an economic transformation is unfolding as the city’s diamond industry faces its deepest recession in years, leaving an estimated 50,000 skilled artisans without work.

“When you’ve spent twenty years of your life bringing brilliance to diamonds, switching careers isn’t just about learning new skills—it’s about rebuilding your identity,” says Bhavesh Tank, vice president of Diamond Workers Union, his voice carrying both concern and cautious optimism for the workers he represents.

The powerloom weavers’ association has begun actively recruiting these displaced diamond workers to fill a staggering shortage of approximately 200,000 workers in Surat’s textile sector. This industrial pivot could prove mutually beneficial—providing steady employment for diamond workers while addressing the critical labor shortage that has forced textile operations in areas like Laskana’s Diamond Nagar to gradually shut down.

“In the current recession in the diamond industry, which has persisted for the last two years, the textile industry stands ready to welcome diamond workers with open arms,” states Vijay Mangukia, president of the Weavers Association of Surat. “There is currently a shortage of about 30 percent of craftsmen in our industry, creating space for up to two lakh workers to find new employment.”

The financial incentive for this transition is compelling. While diamond workers typically earn between ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 monthly, the textile industry offers potential earnings of up to ₹30,000 per month—a significant 50% increase that could substantially improve workers’ livelihoods.

Surat’s man-made fiber (MMF) textile sector, which supplies approximately 45% of India’s MMF fabric, already employs 10-12 lakh people directly and indirectly. By comparison, about 8 lakh people are associated with the city’s diamond industry. This shift represents not just individual career changes but a broader economic realignment in one of India’s key manufacturing hubs.

Industry experts note that the textile work requires minimal training, with most positions requiring only 15-20 days to learn. This relatively quick transition period makes it a viable option for workers needing immediate employment.

“If more skilled workers join the textile industry, I firmly believe it will advance rapidly and reach new heights internationally,” Mangukia adds. “This will not only boost the industry but also increase workers’ incomes, allowing their families to prosper.”

While acknowledging the opportunity, Tank expresses some reservations: “We are grateful to the textile industry for opening new doors of employment for gem artisans. However, transitioning to a new profession after decades in another field is challenging. Just as labor laws are often overlooked in the diamond industry, we must ensure they are properly implemented in the textile sector as well.”

The workforce shift echoes a similar transition following the 2008 recession, when many Saurashtra residents involved in diamond cutting diversified into real estate and textiles. Today’s transition is more pronounced, with new opportunities emerging in various textile subsectors, including the growing garment industry.

Mangukia has also called on the government to establish training centers in textile-producing regions to accelerate skills development. “These centers would not only help former diamond workers but could also create opportunities for housewives seeking employment, providing new income sources for many families,” he explained.