Botswana diamond workers bleed

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

For the diamond-cutting industry in Botswana, the news last week could hardly have been much worse. In January, the press reported that diamond cutters MotiGanz and Leo Schachter had laid off 150 workers. Then last week a bombshell was dropped the Teemane Manufacturing Company, owned by Diarough, would close, with the loss of about 320 jobs in Serowe.

It is the biggest employer in the village and the consequences will be felt for years to come – about 2 000 people are dependents of those employed in the industry. With a total reported employment in the diamond cutting and polishing industry of 3 750 in 2014, this is a massive retrenchment.

In 2013, Botswana is reported to have exported polished diamonds worth 6.6-billion pula (R7.9-billion).

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