Helpline launched amid rising suicides by Surat Diamond Artisans 

Surat : The Diamond Workers’ Union Gujarat (DWUG) has established a helpline number to prevent diamond workers in Surat, the world’s largest diamond cutting and polishing centre, from committing suicide as a result of unemployment and financial difficulties. 

The recent recession has decimated Surat diamond artisans, as a substantial number of artisans have become unemployed, and even those who do find work have seen their earnings lowered, with many being forced to take two days off per week due to production reductions. However, a large number of diamond artisans are experiencing a terrible financial problem. 

The DWUG has established a helpline number (9239500009) with the tagline ‘Dear Diamond Artisans, don’t commit suicide. 

DWUG office-bearers stated that inflation is always increasing, and that everything, including loan payments, house rent, and children’s education costs, is rising. On the other side, the salaries of diamond artists are continuously reducing instead of increasing, causing the artisans to suffer a lot in running the home, and eventually the artisans are fatigued and take the extreme step of committing suicide.

“Suicides in the diamond industry are increasing alarmingly as a result of unemployment and the economic crisis, which is very sad,” said Bhavesh Tank, DWUG’s vice president. “We have started a campaign to prevent suicides of diamond artisans”

According to Tank, around 62 jewelers have committed suicide in the Surat diamond sector during the last 15 to 16 months. “We have attempted numerous times to bring the attention of the government to assist the artists financially during this tough time, but the administration has yet to take any tangible steps. This is why suicide rates are steadily climbing, and innocent artists are dying. If the artists’ dilemma is not resolved, the situation will deteriorate significantly.”