Surat Diamond Workers Demand Wage Hike From GJEPC
SURAT : Gujarat’s diamond industry may be witnessing a revival in demand, but the workers who polish the gems say their wages remain stuck at rock-bottom levels. The Diamond Workers’...
SURAT : Gujarat’s diamond industry may be witnessing a revival in demand, but the workers who polish the gems say their wages remain stuck at rock-bottom levels. The Diamond Workers’ Union Gujarat (DWUG) has now urged the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to intervene and ensure higher wages for diamond artisans across Surat and Saurashtra.
In a letter dated September 24, the union demanded a comprehensive survey of wages paid to diamond workers across Gujarat and called for an increase in piece-rate payments in line with the rising cost of living.
The union said lakhs of artisans have helped Gujarat build a global reputation in diamond cutting and polishing and generate significant foreign exchange earnings. However, it alleged that a prolonged slowdown sharply reduced workers’ earnings while household expenses continued to rise.
“The wages of these artisans, which had hit rock bottom, must be increased,” the union said in its representation to the GJEPC.
The DWUG also alleged that workers in diamond factories in rural Gujarat are sometimes paid below government-mandated minimum wages and are forced to process diamonds for very low piece rates.
The union pointed to recent strikes by diamond artisans in Mahuva, Talaja and Palitana, where workers demanded higher wages. According to the union, the strikes ended after intervention by the Labour Department and DWUG, but the wage issue remains unresolved.
“Beyond export promotion, the Council bears a responsibility to consider the future of the artisans working in the industry,” the union said, urging GJEPC to direct diamond businesses to revise piece rates.
The union has also sought intervention from the Union Commerce Ministry and GJEPC, particularly in Saurashtra districts including Bhavnagar, Amreli, Rajkot and Junagadh.
DWUG has demanded a Gujarat-wide wage survey covering Surat and rural diamond-processing centres to establish fair remuneration and ensure that wage rates reflect the current cost of living.