Surat diamantaires pay full wages, medical costs of Covid-19 workers

SURAT: After he tested positive for Covid-19, Mulji Dhameliya (name changed), 54, an artisan at a leading diamond firm was worried about his salary. But he was pleasantly surprised the next day, when he got a call from his boss who assured him of full wages as well as payment of medical expenses. The company also assured to shift him to a private hospital.
Like Dhameliya, many artisans are getting similar help from their employers.
Managing director of Dharmanandan Diamonds, Hitesh Patel told TOI, "The workers detected positive for Covid-19 are part of our diamond family. We will take care of them by not just paying full salaries but also bearing the medical expenses."
Patel further said that even during the lockdown when the factory was shut, the firm paid full wages to all its staff, including the workers. "This was the reason why all our workers who had gone to Saurashtra joined on a short notice when we restarted the factory," he added.
Chairman of Blue Star diamonds, Ashit Mehta said, "We are extending all possible help to our workers and also their family members who have detected positive for Covid-19 as per our company policy."
Kirti Shah, a diamond unit owner said that the firm is paying full salaries to 15 staff members, five of whom tested Covid-19 positive and 10 others who came in their contact and are put in home quarantine.