SURAT: Theres a very good reason why employees at Hari Krishna Exports- a Surat-based diamond firm are all smiles. They are the talk of not just the town, but news about them is making waves world-over, for the stunning act of generosity shown by their boss- company Chairman Savji Dholakia.
More than 1,200 artisans and engineers at the firm have qualified to have the most glittering Diwali of their lives- spoilt for choice- between an offer of a car, flat or jewellery as their performance incentive- and this by the way, is in addition to their annual Diwali bonus.
“Besides Diwali bonus, which is given to all employees, we have been running a programme to reward loyal, hardworking and dedicated staff. After one-year of evaluation of their performance, we have selected 1,268 such employees,” Hari Krishna Exports Chairman and Managing Director Savaji Dholakia said in Ahmedabad.
Around 500 employees reportedly opted for a brand new Fiat Punto, 570 for jewellery and 207 chose a flat, according to Times of India.
The liquidity crisis may have dampened the spirits of the diamond industry in general this year but clearly at Hari Krishna Exports-a Rs 6,000-crore company, it is entirely another story. The companys novel loyalty programme would cost the company Rs 50 crore. The company had started the scheme in 2011. In the first year, three artisans were gifted cars. Last year, around 72 artisans were given cars for achieving their annual targets.
“All my dreams have come true through my workers,” said Dholakia. “A target was set for the artisans and engineers and they achieved it. This is a big day for the entire Hari Krishna family. We’re the first company in the world to offer performance incentive valued at around Rs 3.60 lakh to each of the diamond workers,” he added.
Rediff reports that Fiat Group Automobiles India said it has delivered the biggest single bulk order of 455 Punto cars to a prominent business house in Surat. “The order comprises of 190 Punto Evo 1.2 Petrol and 265 Punto Evo 1.3 Diesel in New Pearl White and Minimal Grey colours was taken by Sukrit Autolink, FIAT exclusive dealer in Surat,” the auto maker said in a statement.
Interestingly, the beneficiaries of the loyalty programme, reportedly include cleaning staff as well.
TOI reports that Jignesh Makwana, 39, a diamond artisan in the company, said, “I received a car as gift last year. So, this year when I qualified in the incentive scheme, I opted for a flat. I will pay Rs 3.60 lakh as down payment in the housing scheme of the company to own a 3BHK flat.”
Another employee, Mehul Asalaliya, an engineer said, “I opted for jewellery as I have a car and a house. This Diwali, I will gift jewellery to my wife.”
Savji Kaka, as Dholakia is affectionately called in diamond circles, is a native of Dudhala village in Amreli district. He came to Surat in the late 1970s in search of a job without a penny in his pocket. He then went to his uncle and borrowed money to start a diamond business on a small scale. After years of struggle, he established Hari Krishna Exports in 1992.
“The average monthly earning of each of my artisans and engineers is Rs 1 lakh. There is one diamond artisan, who earns Rs 3.49 lakh per month. Artisans are the backbone of our industry and we have set an example by giving them highest wages in the industry,” Dholakia said.
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