Due to the poor demand of diamonds in the international markets, especially in the US, the workers were sent on vacations early this year; October 21 was the last working day for the Surat factories.
The recession in the diamond industry resulted in a decline in exports, majorly to the US and China. Surat is the hub of cutting and polishing of natural as well as lab-grown diamonds.
The crisis peaked Friday when they were told to look for another job. Sixty-year-old Ashok Patil is one of those who have been hit by the layoff wave at the unit.