Surat Diamond Boom Raises Hope of Wage Cut Rollback for Workers

SURAT: After four years of struggling with reduced wages and an uncertain future, diamond worker Sanjay Patel is hoping the revival of Surat’s diamond market will finally put money back in his pocket. Fresh orders have brought renewed activity to the industry, but workers say the real Diwali gift will come only when factory owners restore the 20% wage cut imposed during the prolonged slowdown.

The recovery has raised hopes among thousands of diamond artisans who accepted lower pay to survive the downturn. Now, the Diamond Workers’ Union wants workers to share in the benefits of the improving market through restored wages and fresh salary hikes.

Fresh Orders Bring Relief to Surat’s Diamond Industry

The industry has faced a severe slowdown over the past three to four years. However, new orders from domestic and international markets have brought renewed momentum to diamond factories.

Bhavesh Shah, vice-president of the Diamond Workers’ Union, said the situation had improved after years of uncertainty.

“After a long period, activity has returned to the diamond market. There are substantial orders, and factories need to continue production to clear the backlog,” Shah said.

The improvement has also changed expectations for the annual Diwali vacation, when many factories traditionally shut down.

Diwali Vacation May Be Shorter

Diamond factories are expected to begin their Diwali break around November 5. The holiday could last between five and 15 days, with some units extending it to 20 days, depending on their workload.

In recent years, the slowdown forced workers to endure extended breaks because factories lacked sufficient orders. Some vacations lasted 20 to 25 days.

This year, the backlog of orders could keep workers away from their jobs for a shorter period.

Shah said factories might struggle to complete pending orders if they extend the holiday.

Union Demands Restoration of 20% Wage Cut

The union’s main demand is to reverse the 20% wage reduction imposed during the downturn.

Workers accepted the cuts during the crisis to help sustain their livelihoods and keep the industry functioning. With business conditions now improving, the union argues that artisans should receive their lost earnings back through restored wage rates.

“Workers cooperated with the industry during difficult times. Now that orders are returning, their wages must also improve,” the union’s demand highlights.

The union is also seeking additional salary hikes to help workers recover from years of financial pressure.

Will the Recovery Reach Workers’ Pockets?

The revival offers hope to diamond artisans and their families ahead of Diwali. However, increased orders alone will not guarantee higher take-home pay.

For workers such as Sanjay Patel, the key question is whether factory owners will restore the wage cuts and offer better pay.

A shorter vacation may mean more working days, but the industry’s recovery will feel meaningful to workers only when it translates into improved household incomes.