The Gujarat Congress has urged the government to intervene to assist diamond artisans affected by the industry’s ongoing downturn.
Party leaders Shaktisinh Gohil, Mukul Wasnik, and Amit Chavda raised the issue at a recent press conference, criticising the government’s approach.
Call for Worker Welfare Measures
Amit Chavda highlighted the need for implementing the Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana, a scheme designed to provide financial relief to workers laid off due to company closures. He emphasised that although the scheme was last revised in 2016, its provisions have not been extended to workers in the diamond industry during the ongoing crisis.
“The scheme has provisions to compensate workers laid off due to a company’s closure. For the first year, workers are entitled to 50% of their salary every month, and in the second year, 25%. Yet, the central government has failed to extend these benefits to diamond industry workers during this crisis,” Chavda stated.
Concerns Over Policy Direction
Shaktisinh Gohil criticised the government’s promotion of lab-grown diamonds, claiming it has adversely affected natural diamond producers. He also alleged that the increased certification costs for natural diamonds are a consequence of encouraging synthetic imports from China.
“I suggested halting synthetic diamonds from China, but instead, the government promoted them. This has led to an increase in certification costs for natural diamonds,” Gohil claimed.
Implications for the Jewellery Industry
The Gujarat Congress highlighted the challenges faced by workers in the diamond sector, pointing to broader issues affecting the industry’s sustainability. Jewellers may need to prepare for potential supply chain changes and shifts in demand between natural and synthetic diamonds.
