Incidents of layoffs of diamond workers in factories here are on the rise despite Diwali festival being around the corner. In the latest case, about 300 diamond workerswere allegedly asked to leave a diamond factory in Katargam.
Sources said the workers of diamond company located on Sumul Diary Road gathered at Gajera Circle in Katargam to protest against the factory owner’s decision to relieve them without giving prior notice. Most of the diamond workers have been working in the company for over six years.
The workers under the aegis of Gujarat Diamond Workers’ Union (GDWU) submitted a memorandum to district collector demanding that the company owner pay them minimum wages for three months as per Labout Act.
In the last two months, over 1500 diaond workers ave been laid off by various diamond units in Katargam and Varachha, industry sources said.
GDWU, Vice President, Bhavesh Tank said, “ The owners of diamond company have to follow standard procedure as per factories and labour Acts before relieving the workers. In the fresh case, the workers were asked to leave wihtout any prior intimation.”
He further added, “ The workers are liable to get three months’ wages as per the labout Act. The other benefits like provident fund and gratuity also have to be given to the workers by the diamond factory owner.
Tank said, cases of diamond workers losing jobs are on the rise in the city. Many more companies are likely to down their shutters by September-end because of unfavourable conditions prevailing the market, he added.
Shrish Godhani, Director, Godhani Impex said to TOI, “ We are closing the factory due to heavy losses due to recession. We do not have relieved the workers but asked them to find jobs elsewhere. We have stook of rough diamonds that would only last up to 20 days. We have also given them assurance of helping them find jobs in other units.”
Courtesy - Times of India
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