‘Vacation’ in big diamond unit rings alarm

On Saturday,when owner of Ratna Kala diamonds at Shantadevi road in Navsari district hung a banner on the main gate of the factory informing the diamond polishers not to come to the factory till August 25,there was panic. The diamond polishers,who are an unorganised sector,were shocked by the sudden decision taken by the factory owner.

A top administrative officer of the factory said on condition of anonymity,“There are 5,000 diamond polishers working in our factory. We have declared holidays in our factory by the orders of factory owner. We believe that the holidays had been given keeping in mind forthcoming festivals. In the banner we have also mentioned the opening date of the factory. The present situation in the diamond industry is also not good. We have put our fingers crossed for upcoming months that the market will open with big demands.”

Navsari diamond association president Raju Derasarya said,“One big diamond unit and few other small units have declared holiday or mini vacations to their employees as they might failed to struggle against the recession cloud. Through exhibition and fairs,the industry will come into original momentum and even the Christmas sales are still pending which will start from October onwards. Now let us see what would be the situation after Janmastami. We have also kept our eyes on the India International Jewellery Show organised in Mumbai which will start from August 23. We hope good business will come from such exhibition and the industry will be benefited.”

When the industry was hit by recession in 2008 Ratna Kala continued production but shortened time period of workers,but not a single worker was asked to leave,Derasarya said.

The owner of the unit,Ranchhod Detroja,couldn’t be contacted for his comment.