2 days Ago
Surat: Around 500 workers participated in a two-day strike to demand a 30% wage increase , as their wages have remained unchanged for over 10 years. The workers organized a rally from Katargam to Varachha, accompanied by a heavy police presence, to voice their demands to both the govet and diamond businessmen. The strike will continue on Monday, and the workers will decide on their next course of action.
"We submitted a memorandum to the govt through the Surat collector 20 days ago, urging the formation of a high-level committee to address the issues faced by diamond workers. The govt responded positively, but no action was taken, which led us to initiate this strike. Today, more than 500 workers joined us, and hundreds supported us.
Some workers were threatened by diamond businessmen, causing them to stay away from the protest out of fear. Many units that typically close on Sundays kept their operations open in an attempt to break our unity and strike. Despite this, we received support from all the workers," said Bhavesh Tank, vice president of the Diamond Workers' Union Gujarat (DWUG).
The workers protested on the roads near the majority of the diamond polishing units, carrying slogans and banners highlighting their exploitation, the suicides of diamond workers, the development benefiting only the businessmen, and their demand for a welfare board. The rally and protest remained peaceful, despite the heavy police presence. "Over the past few months, around 62 diamond workers have died due to the slowdown in the diamond industry.
We want the govt and businessmen to help their families. We also want measures to prevent further suicides. Our demands include a 30% wage increase and fixed rates for all diamond activities and processes based on their scale.
This would end the long-standing exploitation of workers. The govt must urgently establish the Diamond Workers' Welfare Board," Tank added. Dinesh Navadiya, chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute (IDI) and former chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), stated: "We appreciate the peaceful protest by the diamond workers.
We support many of their demands. The govt and the diamond industry should work together to address these issues promptly and provide relief to the workers." It should be noted that after submitting the memorandum, a meeting was held involving diamond associations, industrialists and govt officials, including labour officials.
The meeting discussed the formation of a high-level committee that would include all workers' and industry associations to establish fixed rates and wages. Surat's diamond industry employs around 7.5 lakh workers, many of whom have lost their jobs or work in the past two years.
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