Diamond cutters and polishers in Surat expressed agitation against their employers by pelting stones on the diamond factories, in protest of their wages not being increased as promised. The Diamond Association of Surat and the workers had mutually agreed upon a 25 percent increase in wages, which some diamond factories did not implement, , as reported by the Economic Times.

The workers were looking forward to the increase, as their wages have been undervalued and unadjusted since the last 12 years. The diamond industry in Surat employs over 700,000 people from across the country and has been a key contributor to India’s total exports worth Rs.80, 000 crores. Around Rs.45,000 crores are generated from exports in cut and polished diamonds from Surat.

The President of the Diamond Association of Surat, C P Vanani, has requested the workers not to pelt stones and has assured a solution through talks with the heads of the factories who refused the salary hike.