Indian Ministry Delegation Surveys State of Surat Diamond Plants

A delegation from the Bureau of Labour at the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment surveyed diamond polishing units in Surat, India to asses their recovery, The Times of India reported Sunday.

The five-member delegation also met with members of the Surat Diamond Association.

“The main aim behind the survey is to get a clear view of the industry after the recession. The ministry wants to find out the number of defunct diamond units which have resumed operation," said an official from the state labor department.

Despite the stated good intentions, Surat Diamond Association President CP Vanani was concerned that the team may have had an additional agenda. “We've provided information about the industry to the Centre, but don't know the real motive of the survey,” Vanani said after the delegation sought information not only of the number of re-hired workers, but also of unregistered polishing facilities.

Surat, India’s diamond manufacturing center was hard hit by the economic fallout that started in September 2008. Well over 100,000 workers are believed to have lost their jobs as many polishing plants stopped working closed their doors.

In recent weeks work started to pick up and the number of facilities that have resumed operations is slowly growing.