In the midst of a significant downturn in Surat’s diamond industry, a local diamantaire has made a notable gesture by assisting families of workers who are struggling to pay their children’s school fees. This act of kindness has been praised by industry representatives, who are calling for more initiatives to support the affected workforce.

Surat, known as a global hub for diamond cutting and polishing, employs around 10 lakh workers across more than 2,500 units. The city’s diamond industry, which handles about 90 percent of the world’s rough diamonds, has been severely impacted by recent global events, including the Russia-Ukraine war and decreased demand from China. These factors have led to an oversupply of diamonds, resulting in significant economic distress for the industry.

As a consequence, approximately 50,000 workers have lost their jobs this year, and those who remain employed have experienced a salary reduction of around 30 percent, according to Bhavesh Tank, Vice President of the Surat Diamond Workers Union.

In this challenging environment, the diamantaire’s intervention to cover school fees for workers’ children has provided much-needed relief and highlights the importance of community support during economic hardships. The gesture has drawn attention to the need for additional efforts to assist the diamond industry’s workforce, reinforcing calls for broader support measures to help those impacted by the downturn.