India's diamond hub in crisis as migrants flee

The city of Surat is widely known as India's diamond hub.

Around 80% of the world’s diamonds are polished in the region.

But it's facing a production crisis.

The industry is heavily dependent on migrant workers, and many have left fearing a coronavirus lockdown.

That's leaving diamond traders worried:

"All those who work in our factories, about 50-60 percent of them have moved back to their villages. We are really feeling their absence".

"A lot of workers have left, including those in the machinery segment. The diamond industry works on five to six stages. It takes many levels to get the polished diamond. There is a shortage of workers starting from the first stage itself, so it is obvious that rest of the production stages are also affected."

India is in the midst of an overwhelming wave of Covid-19 cases.

Gujarat state, where Surat is located, has been reporting over 10,000 new cases daily this week.

That's prompting the government to consider restrictions on non-essential businesses.

Last year, millions of migrant workers made an arduous journey by foot, bike and hitchhiking to reach their homes after the federal government announced a surprise lockdown.

About 100 lost their lives on the way.