Form welfare board for diamond workers: Gujarat Congress

Ahmedabad: Pointing out that the state's diamond polishing industry workers are facing a difficult time because of recession, state Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil demanded that a welfare board be formed for them. Speaking to reporters at the GPCC headquarters in Ahmedabad, Gohil said that over 100 people working in the industry have committed suicide and the state govt must provide adequate compensation to the next of kin of the victims. "The workers also should be exempted from paying professional tax. The state govt must register every diamond industry worker and ensure they receive gratuity and other benefits," Gohil said. The GPCC chief said that the G7 countries' decision not to purchase diamonds originating from Russia hit Gujarat's diamond and polishing industry hard, as most rough diamonds that are cut and polished in Gujarat are sourced from Russia. "The Union govt must force the G7 countries to roll back their decision on diamonds sourced from Russia," Gohil said. Gohil said the Union and state govt must intervene and take measures to safeguard the interests of diamond workers as it concerns the well-being of thousands of families. "The diamond sector is one of the top employment providers in Gujarat. Around 25 lakh families are directly or indirectly dependent on this industry. Diamond polishing factories are located in Surat, Navsari, Bhavnagar, Amreli, Botad, Rajkot, Junagadh and Ahmedabad," Gohil said. MSID:: 113910389 413 |