Labour commissioner issues notice to Surat company over transfer of diamond workers
The same day, over 80 workers moved the Diamond Worker Union Gujarat's Surat office president Bhavesh Tank. The union went on to approach Deputy Labour Commissioner M C Kariya.
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Over 80 polishers working at D Milan diamond factory in Surat were transferred to another unit of the company last Friday after they were allegedly asked to either shift to the new branch or quit. Following representations from the Diamond Worker Union Gujarat, the Surat district deputy labour commissioner issued a notice to D Milan on Tuesday.
According to the workers, D Milan had instructed over 100 of its polishers working on solitaire diamonds to shift to its other unit where star melee diamonds are cut and polished. However, the polishers said they refused, as they would have to work for a lower salary if they are dealing with melee diamonds. The company allegedly then told the polishers to either accept the transfer or resign.
The same day, over 80 workers moved the Diamond Worker Union Gujarat’s Surat office president Bhavesh Tank. The union went on to approach Deputy Labour Commissioner M C Kariya.
A diamond polisher, Rajesh Madhia, said: “I have been working with D Milan for nine years and have been cutting and polishing solitaire diamonds. Now, I have been asked to work on melee diamonds. We get Rs 100 for cutting and polishing one solitaire diamond and on an average, earn between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per day. Now, if we work on melee diamonds, we will get Rs 25 per piece… Our salary will decrease…”
When contacted, Tank said, “The company wanted to lay off the polishers and were looking for an excuse… so it decided to transfer them. We have approached the labour department and it has issued notices to the company.”
Kariya, meanwhile, said, “The diamond polishers said they were cutting and polishing solitaire diamonds of more than 10 carats and now they have been transferred to polish low carat diamonds. We have issued a notice to the company and sought explanation. Once we get a reply, we will speak to both parties and look for a solution.”
D Milan, owned by Surat residents Girish Ratanpara and Haresh Sudhani, cut and polish diamonds of Kiran Gems. V
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