Diamond cos open with 20% staff, plead workers to return

Surat: While majority of the small and medium diamond cutting and polishing units in Surat are yet to start operation, the big companies, who have resumed operations with less than 20% workforce, have started contacting their workers in Saurasthra asking them to return within a week.
According to an estimate, over 5 lakh people, majority of them diamond workers, have returned to their hometowns in Saurashtra and North Gujarat.
Hitesh Patel, managing director of Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd told TOI, “Our factory is running at less than 30% capacity due to shortage of workers. We have started contacting our workers who have gone to Saurasthra, to return within one week and start cutting and polishing work.”
Patel added, “The global demand for polished diamonds is weak due to the coronavirus pandemic coupled with sluggish economy in various countries. But the show must go on and we want our workers to earn their livelihood by working.”
Industry sources said that the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has postponed its decision for the one month ban on the import of rough diamonds in the country till June 1. There are many firms in Surat and Mumbai whose rough diamond parcels were stuck due to the lockdown.
Ashit Mehta, chairman of Bluestar diamonds said, “Once big companies start functioning at 50% capacity, it will encourage the small and medium units to resume operations. The workers will be compelled to return to Surat and earn livelihood. The industry has got enough inventory of rough diamonds for the manufacturing job.”