Surat: One in Five Diamond Workers Quit over Low Wages August 04, 21 by
(IDEX Online) - One in five diamond workers have quit their jobs in Surat because of low wages, says a u
nion boss.
Factory owners are also accused of failing to pay artisans wages during India s Covid lockdowns, o
r of reducing them by as much as 25 per cent. That s despite a spike in demand from consumers in the USA a
nd China.
The Diamond Workers Union is demanding a 20 per cent pay increase, claiming wages have not risen for five years. The diamond industry has boomed in 2020-21, the union s vice president Bhavesh Tank told the
Workers claimed that their salaries have not been increased for the last five years. Even during the lockdown many companies did not pay salaries while many deducted the salaries by 20-25%.
SURAT: Diamond workers on Wednesday demanded a hike in their salaries saying that the industry is going through a good phase.
Members and office-bearers of Diamond Workers Union submitted a memorandum to the president of Surat Diamond Association demanding that the salaries of all diamond workers should be increased by 20% and free treatment should be provided to them and their family members at Surat Diamond Hospital. Workers claimed that their salaries have not been increased for the last five years. Even during the lockdown many companies did not pay salaries while many deducted the salaries by 20-25%.