Surat Diamond Workers Protest for Pay Increase
June 25, 23
(IDEX Online) - Hundreds of diamond workers from a manufacturing unit in Surat, India, have again protested over their demands for a pay increase and improved working conditions.
Between 300 and 500 of the factory's 2,000 workers, supported by the Diamond Workers Union Gujarat (DWUG), protested in a dharana - sit-in - outside the Surat district collector's office yesterday.
They claim Laxmi Diamond, a De Beers sightholder, has largely ignored their grievances, outlined in a memorandum a month ago.
It follows a strike a month ago by workers form the same unit, who were demanding a salary hike and vacation pay.
Both sides agreed to a truce at the time, but the DWUG says that a month has elapsed and the workers' grievances have yet to be addressed.
In a translated Facebook post, the union said: "Surat: Diamond industry's famous diamond company Laxmi Diamond were forced to strike again.
"The compromise process made by the management of Laxmi Diamond was not satisfied according to the time limit so the demands of gemstone artists were forced to strike again."
Pic shows Laxmi Diamond, in Surat