Diamond workers demand hike in wages, facilities

Diamond Polishers' Association (DPA), a representative body of diamond workers in the industry in Gujarat has demanded a hike in wages to the tune of about 35 per cent.

In their representation made to the Surat Diamond Association (SDA) on Monday, DPA alleged that the industry kept uneven wage structure and hiked the same when workers were in high demand and reduced when the situation overturned.

The DPA demanded facilities for diamond unit workers as has been laid out in the Factory Act, including Rs one lakh insurance for the workers and up to 50 per cent contribution by the factory owner towards medical expenses in the case of serious illness of a worker.

However, according to industry sources, the workers were given hikes at intermittent intervals. "There was a regular wage revision by independent units prior to Diwali and even after it. In comparison to the slowdown, the wages have improved significantly," said one of the sources.

Newly registered DPA has over 10,000 members. SDA is said to be considering the demands laid out in the memorandum and will take up the issue with the unit owners.