India: SDA Campaign for Tobacco Addicted Diamond Workers

Source from:  The Times of India  06/09/2013

Skilled artisans in the Rs 80,000 crore Surat diamond industry may be known for their unique diamond cutting and polishing skills across the globe, but when it comes to health, they seem careless.

With a majority of diamond workers addicted to chewing 'gutka' and 'mava'- a concoction of tobacco and betel nuts - Surat Diamond Association (SDA) will hold a dental checkup camp to sensitize them on health hazards at the SDA-run hospital and medical research centre in Nana Varachha on Sunday.

Industry sources said the multi-billion dollar diamond companies in the diamond hub of Varachha and Katargam have been running for years de-addiction drive for their diamond workers trapped in the evils of tobacco consumption.

Some leading diamond companies have even adopted a harsh attitude with their employees when it comes to creating an addiction free environment in the factory. Diamond workers and employees in the company's management are frisked on a daily basis, to check whether they are carrying any tobacco products. If anyone is caught with tobacco, he has to pay fine amounting to Rs 500 on the spot.

Chairman of Shree Ramkrishna Export Govind Dholakiya says, "It is my belief that a person not addicted to smoking or chewing pan, gutka or tobacco performs his or her duties in a far more efficient way than those who are addicted. We have received many letters from the family members of our workers once addicted to tobacco as to how their family lives have changed."

"We started frisking the pockets of employees and diamond workers reporting on duty randomly during the week. If anyone is caught with chewing tobacco then he would be asked to write an apology. If the same person repeats the mistake then he is immediately asked to leave the factory," added Dholakiya, who employs 6,000 people, who are free from tobacco addiction.

The diamond industry employs about 4.5 lakh workers and another 6 lakh are directly or indirectly associated with the industry. It is said that eight out of every 10 people employed in the diamond industry are addicted to chewing tobacco.

SDA president Dinesh Navadia told TOI, "Our aim is to pull out the diamond workers from the web of tobacco addiction. We have started a campaign by organizing a dental check-up camp and many other camps like cancer detection etc. will follow soon." Enditem