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The city of Surat in Gujarat is known for diamond business. Behind the glitter of diamonds lies darkness in the lives of the people living in this city. This has come to light in the ‘Suicide Helpline Number’ report of Diamond Workers Union Gujarat (DWUG). While sharing the data of calls received on the helpline number, the union said that they have received more than 1600 calls on the suicide helpline number in about 25 days. Most of these calls are scary.
According to the vice president of the union, 65 diamond workers have committed suicide in Surat in the last 16 months. Rough diamonds are cut on a large scale in the city of Surat. Thousands of laborers cut diamonds in the factories here. Many big companies are on the verge of closure due to the slump in the diamond business for the past few days. Many companies have laid off jobs, causing a large number of workers to lose their jobs.
A downturn in the international diamond market
The international diamond market is going through a severe downturn these days. The main reasons for this are said to be the war that broke out in Europe and Arabia and the fall in demand from China. Due to which many diamond companies are closed in Surat. A major diamond firm declared a 10-day holiday in the month of Sawan due to low demand for diamonds. In such a situation, the diamond workers faced the problem of job loss and salary cut, which created a financial crisis situation for them.
65 diamond workers committed suicide in 16 months
65 diamond cutters have committed suicide in the past 16 months due to job losses and pay cuts. According to media reports, Bhavesh Tank, vice president of Diamond Workers Union Gujarat, says that the reason for the workers’ suicide is the downturn in the diamond industry. He took the step of suicide due to financial hardship. He says that keeping this in mind, the union launched a ‘suicide helpline number’ on July 15. So far more than 1600 calls have been received on this helpline number. Many of these people have said that they are committing suicide due to unemployment.
