Surat, Gujarat: Over 70 diamond polishers from HVK International Pvt. Ltd., a diamond company located in Katargam, Surat, have gone on strike since April 16, demanding a wage hike amid rising inflation and cost of living. The Labour Department has launched an investigation into the matter and issued a notice to the company for failing to produce records related to minimum wage payments, bonuses, and gratuity.

On April 17, Labour Department officials, including Deputy Commissioner M. C. Karya, visited the company premises and held meetings with both the protesting workers and company management. "A probe has been launched into the matter. Our team has met both parties. Since the investigation is underway, it is difficult to determine the outcome," said Karya.

According to Bhavesh Tank, State Vice President of the Diamond Workers Union of Gujarat (DWUG), a prior attempt to resolve the issue through a dialogue with company authorities failed to yield any result.

A diamond worker shared that wages had been reduced by ₹1 per diamond after Diwali, bringing the rate down from ₹16.50 to ₹15.50 for polishing.

Meanwhile, in a mediated meeting conducted by the Deputy Labour Commissioner, involving company management, workers, and representatives of the Diamond Workers Union, no resolution could be reached due to the company's inflexible stance. Consequently, the strike continues, and the Labour Department has served a notice to the company for not presenting mandatory wage and employee benefit records.

This is not the first such incident. Workers from five other diamond factories in Surat and two in Navsari had earlier gone on similar strikes seeking better pay.