Unemployment and Financial Distress Lead to Tragic Rise in Suicides Among Diamond Polishers in Surat

Surat : The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as growing inflation in the United States, have cast a dark shadow over Surat, which is home to the world’s largest diamond cutting and polishing centre. Four jobless diamond polishers, including a female artisan, committed suicide in Surat during the previous week and a half as a consequence of the stress induced by their financial circumstances.

Diamond Workers’ Union Gujarat (DWUG), the apex body of Gujarat’s diamond workers, has demanded that the Gujarat government immediately announce a relief package for Surat’s diamond workers and reintroduce the Ratnadeep Yojana, which provides diamond workers with skill training on a fixed monthly stipend.

According to DWUG office bearers, dozens of diamond craftsmen in Surat’s diamond sector have been laid off or are being given half their normal salary by the diamond manufacturers. The majority of diamond enterprises are open five days a week since demand for polished diamonds in the international market has dropped in the past year owing to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and inflation in the United States.

“In the last couple of months, we have noticed many diamond units shutting down and diamond artisans being rendered jobless,” said Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of DWUG. This has placed a significant financial load on the craftsmen when it comes to feeding their families. In such a circumstance, diamond workers commit suicide.”

“We have urged the Gujarat government to announce a financial package for Surat and Gujarat diamond workers.” “The government is not doing enough to protect the rights of diamond artisans,” Tank said.