Imitation Jewellery Continues To Shine Bright

(via Economic Times) Tapash Talukdar writes:

Lalabhai looks happy earning more than Rs 300-400 per day by making imitation jewellery. He, who has been making gold jewellery a year back, has joined an imitation jewellery unit. Thanks to the surging demand of imitation jewellery in the country and few overseas customers.

Like him, a large section of workers working at gold and silver jewellery units, have shifted their focus towards imitation jewellery. The fancy items have not only facilitated better wages for the workers, but also invited more family members into the growing business. Most of the 300-odd units of imitation jewellery, based at Ranchodnagar in Rajkot have found new business opportunities to display their creativity in making various kinds of products like necklace, bangles, chains, bracelets and other regular items. The daily wages for a worker has gone up significantly and has been decided on the basis of the day’s output. On an average, a worker earns Rs 10,000-20,000 per month against their regular income of around Rs 5,000.

Nearly 5,000 workers, including family members, are involved in making fancy items for their regular customers in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and other northern parts of India. More than 40 per cent of the total workforce comprises of women and the number is growing. The workers have been coming from various parts of the country, especially from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

Narendra Mehta of Mahavir Jewellers said: “The product goes through five to six stages of manufacturing which is bound to give employment to as many units”.

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