Diamond workers union demands cancelling vacation

Surat: Diamond artisans under the banner of Diamond Worker Union, Gujarat started their three-day sit-in protest opposite collectors office at Surat on Thursday with their demand to resolve number of issues.
They are demanding immediate withdrawal of vacation declared by the diamond unit owners , stopping exploitation of workers, paying compensation for the vacation period and implementation of Factory Act in all diamond units.
Vice president of the union, Bhavesh Tank, said that after Diwali, nearly 30% of the units are closed which has rendered nearly one lakh diamond workers without work. “We urge the government’s intervention to call off the vacation and ask the units pay us wages for the vacation days. The situation will worsen in the industry if these steps are not taken.”
In their written demand, union has also asked for abolition of professional tax levied on workers and implementation of labour laws in Diamond industry. In the letter addressed to chief minister Vijay Rupani, the union said that in 2008 global recession in diamond industry, nearly 250-300 diamond workers had committed suicide. “Such serious consequences must not arise again and for that, it is important for government to take corrective steps,” the letter said.