Surat's diamond industry is suffering a shortage of skilled workers, according to a report in India's Hindustan Times.

The report quoted Surat Diamond Association (SDA) President Dinesh Navadia saying that the local diamond industry had about 25% fewer workers than necessary. Navadia said that his own factory needed 650 employees but only had 500 working.

If the supply of rough diamonds coming into Surat increases as expected, the shortage of workers will become more acute.

In early 2009, when the global financial crisis pummeled the international diamond trade, some 300,000-400,000 of the diamond workers in Surat lost their jobs. Many transferred to other trade sectors, such as textiles. "We will have to woo them back with a higher salary," Navadia said.