Gujarat’s diamond industry faces acute shortage of skilled workers

SURAT - The diamond manufacturing industry of Surat in Gujarat is facing an acute shortage of workers. Ahead of commencement of the festival season, this shortage of about 200,000 workers is fast turning into a crisis situation.

Last year’s global economic slowdown affected the industry badly. But now after recovery, it is faced with a shortage of skilled workers in diamond work. ccording to market experts, the workers have returned to the villages in search of employment and this has led to a crisis.

“Presently we are experiencing a shortage of workers in the Diamond industry. During recession many workers left for their villages, some engaged themselves in other fields or small businesses. Entire Gujarat is facing a shortage of around two lakh (200,000) workers,” said Chandrakant Sanghvi, Regional Chairman, Gem and Jewellery Export Council.

Some diamond manufacturers are making various attractive propositions so that workers should get drawn to their offer and rejoin this industry.

“At a time when the prices are so high and inflation has crossed all levels, we are arranging for the workers to get a salary of at least 6,000 to 8,000 rupees every month so that they can run their households. We are also planning some bonus schemes. So every factory owner should do things keeping in mind the functioning of the worker’s household then the workers will definitely come back,” said Harsh Sanghvi, a diamond factory owner.

The Diamond industry of Gujarat is struggling to meet demands from the domestic and international markets.

Economic slowdown had forced the closure of many diamond-manufacturing units and hundreds and thousands of workers lost heir jobs. (ANI)