indian manufacturer hike and strike

Surat: Even as the leaders of the diamond industry were successful in resolving the wage issue of the diamond cutters employed with around five manufacturing units — these workers took to streets on Tuesday after the factory owners refused to implement the 20 per cent hike announced by the Surat Diamond Association (SDA) —fresh incident of stone pelting by rampaging diamond workers were reported from the Katargam area on the second consecutive day on Wednesday. Around 400 diamond cutters and polishers targeted some 25 manufacturing units located in the Gotalawadi area in Katargam and forced the owners to down the shutters after they refused to implement the wage hike. Some of the agitating workers indulged in stone pelting at two manufacturing units in Katargam. KS Patel, police inspector, Katargam police station, said, “Two units in Katargam were targeted by the diamond cutters. Adequate police bandobast has been deployed in the Katargam area where the units are located.” It seems the decision taken by the SDA to implement 20 per cent hike in the wages of the diamond workers has come as a major disappointment for the small and medium manufacturers in the industry. Most of the small and medium manufacturers have refused to implement the 20 per cent hike announced by the SDA. Sources said around 35 per cent of the small and medium units — facing tough competition due to the dwindling profit margins and shortage of rough — are not in a position to implement 20 per cent hike.indian suppliers “We are not in a position to hike the wages by 20 per cent. Most of the small and medium factory owners are operating on wafer thin margins due to the shortage of raw material and the increasing prices of rough,” said Valjibhai Dhamelia, a small indian manufacturers operating 10 ghantis (emery wheels). Another indian manufacturer said, “Many small manufacturers have shifted to Bhavnagar in the last few months following problems in the industry. If the problems continue for another few months then more people in the industry are likely to shift to their native places.” On the other hand, the leaders of the industry believe the 20 per cent hike in the wage is not going to affect the business of the small and medium manufacturers. “The cost of the raw material is 80 per cent and the labour charge is 20 per cent. However, if the 20 per cent hike in the wages is calculated then the manufacturers have to to implement only two per cent hike in the wages. If the industry wants to retain the workforce then each one of the manufacturers have to comply with the hike in the wages,” said Praveen Nanavati, former president, SDA. Dinesh Navadia, vice-president, SDA said “There are some unscrupulous elements in the industry behind the labour unrest. But the industry leaders are making all possible efforts to convince each and every manufacturer in the industry to comply with the 20 per cent hike in the wages.”