The Indian gems and jewelry sector, which sustained a heavy blow during the global financial crisis, has begun to show signs of improvement. There has reportedly been a 3.8% increase in sectorial employment during January-March 2009.

During October-December 2008, a massive 10.28% decline was reported in employment. The jewelry sector increased its workforce during the last quarter of the previous fiscal year. According to a survey commissioned by the Labor and Employment Ministry, the jewelry and gemstonesector increased its workforce during the last quarter of the previous year.

According to official figures, India exported gems and jewelry valued at $18.4 billion in 2008-09, constituting a decline of 6% over the previous fiscal.

The survey indicates that there has been an overall increase in employment by a quarter a million or 0.6% during the stated three months of the year.

The survey was conducted in the textiles, leather, metals, automobiles, transport, power loom and hand loom, gems and jewelry, and IT/BPO sectors.