Surat diamond workers pin their hopes on gem expo

Surat: Lakhs of diamond polishers have pinned their hopes on the ‘Sparkle 2008 Gem and Jewellery Mega Expo’ exhibition here. If it turns fruitful, the units will start their production and jobless workers will again get back their work.

Hundreds of diamond workers gathered at Katargam in Surat to discuss the issue of their jobs and the reopening of the shutdown units. The diamond workers had planned to show some “surprising” programmes in the coming days.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate ‘Sparkle 2008 Gem and Jewellery Mega Expo’, an international three day event at the Indoor stadium in Surat which starts from December 26.

A huge amount of money has been spent in making the exhibition successful and even the unit owners have been told to fix lighting on their premises.

On the other hand, the diamond workers, who are jobless since the last two months, are finding it difficult to survive. Several workers have committed suicide and some have even indulged in thefts. Some others have shifted their families to their natives places in Saurashtra after taking their children off the school rolls.

The majority of the diamond units in the city are still not functional. Earlier, the owners had given an assurance that in the month of December some of the units will start operation, but only 15 per cent of the units started. The owners had also taken an assurance that 15 to 20 per cent of the salary will be deducted from those who do clerical jobs.

Hundreds of diamond workers of Katargam gathered at Jalaramnagar in Ved Road and showed their anger over the expenditure on making the Sparkle 2008 event a success. The diamond workers disclosed that the Government should see their financial condition and should do something for them.

Mavji Dhaba, a local leader who had organised the gathering, said: “The diamond workers’ life has become pitiful and nobody is thinking about us. We are jobless since the last two months. We don’t have money to pay for the fees of our children. We are awaiting the completion of the event as we have come to know that many international buyers will come here and purchase or make a business deal. If this does not work then we will organise some “surprising” programmes for which we will enlist the support of the diamond polishers of Varachha and Kapodara.”

Surat Diamond Workers Association president Babu Jirawala said: “This is a burning issue and we have organised a meeting with the Deputy Labour Commissioner on Wednesday. We will also meet the district collector and request him to call a meeting with the unit owners to find some solution to this. We will also take an assurance from the unit owners as to from which date will they start their units. The unit owners should also extend financial help to the diamond workers in this critical situation. We are also awaiting the completion of the Gem and Jewellery expo event. If nothing is done in favour of the diamond polishers, we will show some surprising programmes.”

Source: indianexpress