No training centres for new workers in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: Slowdown, lack of training centres for polishers and lucrative opportunities in Surat, Navsari and Bhavnagar have led to the decline of the diamond polishing industry in Ahmedabad. Such has been the impact of the economic slowdown that the number of units fell from 400 in 2008 to around 250 in 2015.
With better salaries and working conditions available in Surat, Bhavnagar and other parts of Saurashtra, the number of workers in the diamond polishing units has come down from around 2 lakh in 2008 to 80,000 in 2015.
"The manufacturing sector in Ahmedabad has gone into a decline. With no training centres here, there is lack of new workforce. As several other sectors have started doing well and daily wages are up, young people are not entering the industry," said Jignesh Shah of Diamond Association of Ahmedabad.
"This field does offer jobs to those who are illiterate. Setting up a training centre is an investment which no one wants to make," said a diamond trader of Bapunagar. "Workers who are good at their jobs are being pulled by companies in other parts of the state. Also, many polishing hubs have come up in places like Palanpur and Junagadh which are attracting workers," said Shanti Patel of Ahmedabad Jewellery Association.
Of the 250 units now operating in the city, only 3-4% are of big companies such as KP Sanghvi and Kiran Export. However, there is hope as companies like Rio Tinto are trying to revive the industry in Ahmedabad and are organizing training for new workers.