The jobless diamond workers have now found new jobs. Some are selling vada-pao and other eatables on makeshift carts in the city, while many others are working as conductors on city buses.

There are also a few who are working as waiters in the catering business. This arrangement has served a dual purpose. The catering contractors, who were earlier facing a staff shortage, have recruited the jobless diamond workers, who in turn, are now earning nearly Rs 150 to 200 per day, with the start of the marriage season.

Alpesh Patel, a diamond polisher, who is now doing a waiter's job, said: "We were jobless since the last three months and used up all our savings, and even sold the utensils. It is difficult to get a job these days as every industry has been affected by recession. Nobody gives us a job. One day, while passing through a party plot in the City Light area, I saw the waiters. I contacted one of them and inquired about the salary and the vacancies. Later, I contacted the catering manager and joined work."

He added: "Earlier, I felt bad about having to serve food and wear a catering suit, but keeping in mind the shortage of money in the house, I continued. Slowly my friends and relatives also joined work and at present, there are around 150 diamond polishers working with the same catering contractor."