Covid-19 impact: Surat diamond industry seeks stimulus to pay minimum wages

While most units have paid March wages in full, there has been no revenue during lockdown; workers workers have not gone back home need to be paid minimum wages at least, they say

With the lockdown getting extended till May 3, the Surat diamond industry, which has seen zero exports or domestic sales, has sought financial assistance from the government to pay wages.

“While wages for March have been paid in full, there is no revenue during the lockdown which has now extended till May 3. Certain sections of workers have not gone back to their native states and need to be paid at least minimum wages. We have made a representation to the government seeking financial assistance,” said Dinesh Navadia, regional chairman of Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

With exports coming to