Coronavirus: The Suicide Toll in Surat
September 22, 20
(IDEX Online) - Sixteen diamond workers have taken their lives during the Covid crisis in Surat, according to media reports in India.
Many despaired after losing their jobs during lockdown. Some returned to their villages in Gujurat, only to find that agricultural work couldn't sustain their families.
Last month the body of Jaysukh Gajera, president of Surat Diamond Polishers' Association, was found beneath a bridge on the bank of a river in Surat district. He'd been suffering financially and was reported missing before his death.
Around half of Surat's estimated 600,000 diamond workers have returned to work as factories re-open at limited capacity and with tough Covid restrictions. Those who are employed say daily rates of pay have virtually been halved, to as little as $2.70.
Ramesh Zilariya, president of the Diamond Workers Union, told the NewsClick website: "As the diamond industry shut down, it left the workers with no option but to go home without any money. Most of the workers received a partial salary or no salary for the month of May before being unemployed for four months."