Surat Diamond Industry Crisis: 60 Artisans Commit Suicide Amid Recession

Surat : About 60 diamond artisans have committed suicide in the last 18 months due to the ongoing recession in the world’s largest diamond cutting and polishing centre in Surat. Faced with dire economic straits and unemployment, a huge section of diamond artisans are forced to take up petty jobs in other sectors and many have set up food stalls and paan shops for their survival. 

At this difficult stage, the Diamond Worker Union Gujarat (DWUG) office-bearers submitted a memorandum to Surat district collector and urged the Gujarat Government to announce financial relief package for the diamond artisans rendered jobless due to ongoing recession in the diamond industry and those who have committed suicide. 

Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of DWUG said, “The suicide cases among diamond artisans are increasing alarmingly due to the recession and unemployment in the diamond industry. 

Due to the recession in the diamond industry, the jewelers are in dire economic straits and the unemployment rate is on the rise due to which the suicide rate is increasing alarmingly” 

The DWUG has demanded that the State Government should announced financial relief package for the diamond artisans, Ratnadeep scheme, abolition of professional tax, financial aid to the families of diamond artisans committing suicide, and formation of Ratnakalakar Kalyan Board. 

“The wages of diamond artisans have been reduced by the diamond factory owners due to the ongoing recession. In the majority of the diamond units, there is a three day holiday per week. The workers are laid off without giving any reasons. The diamond artisans are losing their livelihood. As the festivals are fast approaching, it is better the government and the industry leaders think of the poor artisans or else the suicide cases will increase” said Ramesh Jilariya, president of DWUG.

According to Zilariya, the diamond artisans in the Surat diamond industry in particular and Gujarat in general are not getting the benefit of the Labour laws. Majority of the diamond units are not registered with the labour department. The diamond artisans are not getting protection under the Labour laws.