Diamond workers at Gayatri Samaj in Surat | photo credit: Abhinay Deshpande
Workers in Surat’s famous diamond cutting and polishing sector, battling double problems between unemployment and low wages Ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict The one who has stopped the supply of raw stones is watching Manifesto of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) With interest. The party’s promise of 300 units of free electricity is the most talked about, followed by its initiatives in free education and healthcare.
In Gayatri Society, a center for cutting and polishing units in ‘Diamond City’ and an area that comes under Varachha Road assembly constituency, a large section of workers is flocking to the new entrants. Shaileshbhai Malani, who is busy polishing a small diamond in a workshop on the second floor of a building, said, “The AAP has made so far insignificant promises in Gujarat that speak to the hearts of the diamond workers here.”
He said the party’s manifesto appealed to him with freebies, while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been openly talking about ending it. revdl culture”, “The prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing, but our salaries have remained the same. Many of us are also uncertain about our jobs as there is no supply of raw stones from Russia,” said Vijay, another worker employed as a polisher.
Most of the workers in the diamond cutting and polishing sector, who form a major part of the voting landscape here, are from the Paridars community, and were Was once considered a staunch BJP voterBut now they are venting their anger on the ruling party for not coming to their rescue in their hour of difficulty.
There are over four lakh diamond polishing and cutting workers in the city. Of them, Varachha assembly constituency has around 80,000 worker voters, who have already supported AAP in the Surat civic polls. “We are going to get their unconditional support. The workers are with us,” said Alpesh Kataria, AAP candidate from Varachha Road assembly seat.
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Kishor, an activist waiting at the Heera Bazar junction, said this time, diamond cutting and polishing units remained closed for more than a month for Diwali, which is unusual and will definitely have an impact on the upcoming elections. “The workers had left for their hometowns for Diwali and many are still waiting for calls from their employers back in the city. He is not receiving calls due to lack of work orders
Recently AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha held a meeting with the workers and said that the workers of the diamond industry can bring a change.
Diamond workers in Gayatri Samaj in Surat | photo credit: Abhinay Deshpande
When contacted, BJP official spokesperson Yamal Vyas said that the party is aware of the current mood of the workers, and its committee members and other party workers are trying to address their concerns.