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Report Cites Poor Pay in India Gem Trade
Jul 5, 2016 10:13 AM
By Rapaport News
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RAPAPORT... Salaries in India’s gem and jewelry sector are half of
those in other industries, according to a report that highlights a labor
shortage driven by rock-bottom pay and dangerous working conditions.
Workers in the industry earn an average of $3,740 (INR
252,000) per year, according to a study by the Associated Chambers
of Commerce & Industry of India and the Thought Arbitrage Research
Institute. The figure compares with $7,550 in the pharmaceuticals industry,
$7,330 in capital goods and $6,574 in the electronics sector.
“Limited” health and safety compliance has also eroded
interest in joining the gem and jewelry industry, the report said.
Among the problems faced by workers are over-exposure to
lethal chemicals and gases that can cause ailments such as lung tissue damage,
kidney damage and lung cancer. These factors make the industry less attractive
to people looking to start a professional career. Smaller and relatively
disorganized industry players use less modern technology and lower-quality
materials for manufacturing, restricting the sector’s ability to advance.
“Sustainable growth of any industry needs a continuous supply
of new talent with skills and ground-breaking ideas,” argued D. S. Rawat,
secretary general of ASSOCHAM.
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Tags:
India, Jewelry, pay, Rapaport News, Salaries
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