A suicide helpline, launched by the Diamond Workers Union Gujarat (DWUG) on July 15, has received over 1,600 distress calls from industry workers, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing crisis in the diamond sector. DWUG vice president Bhavesh Tank reported that 65 diamond workers in Surat have taken their own lives over the past 16 months, driven by job losses and significant salary cuts due to the industry’s slowdown.
Surat, a key global hub where 90% of the world’s rough diamonds are processed, employs around 1 million workers across more than 2,500 units. The helpline, set up to address the growing distress, has seen many callers express suicidal thoughts due to financial hardships. Many have lost their jobs in recent months and are struggling with expenses such as school fees, rent, and loan repayments.
The industry downturn, exacerbated by the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Gaza conflicts, along with weak demand from China, has led to an oversupply in the market, resulting in 50,000 job losses this year alone, Tank explained.
In response to the crisis, Lalji Patel, chairman of Dharmanandan Diamonds, announced financial assistance of Rs 15,000 per student for affected families, distributing cheques to those in need at an event on Sunday. Patel emphasized the importance of ensuring that children’s education is not disrupted and urged other companies in the industry to take similar initiatives.
The ongoing recession, the first in five decades to span two consecutive years, has severely impacted the industry, with many units reducing their operations or pausing production altogether. Industry leaders like Dinesh Navadia, chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute, pointed to the Russia-Ukraine war and reduced demand from Chinese traders as key factors behind the slowdown. Navadia also called for more companies to step forward and support their workers, believing that such efforts could create a more positive atmosphere within the industry.
