In a country where nearly 31 million people live with disabilities and only 36 percent participate in the workforce, global jewelry leader Jewelex Group is setting a benchmark for inclusion and empowerment.
Founded in 1966, Jewelex has steadily built a culture of diversity and equity, employing 43 percent women and, since 2006, integrating specially-abled persons (SAP) into its workforce. Today, the company employs 110 SAP workers—around 3 percent of its staff—and aims to raise the figure to 6–8 percent.
“Our aim was never charity, but empowerment,” said Dr. Samta Jain, Chief People Officer at Jewelex. “Each SAP employee brings unmatched focus and loyalty—qualities that elevate both productivity and our culture of care.”
To support this vision, Jewelex partnered with the Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) and its skilling initiative, the Jewelry Occupational Skilling Hub (JOSH). In June 2024, JOSH held its first graduation ceremony for specially-abled candidates, all of whom were subsequently employed by Jewelex in roles ranging from filing to polishing and micro-setting.
The company invested in interpreter services, customized training modules, and sign language-supported videos to ensure equal access. It also introduced peer-sensitization workshops, apprenticeships, and workplace adjustments to ease integration.
“June 2024 was a special inflexion point for our inclusion journey,” said Director Ashish ‘Bobby’ Kothari. Fellow Director Nilesh Kothari added that while the sector embraces global competitiveness, Jewelex “continues to nurture its greatest asset—its people.”
Beyond recruitment, Jewelex supports employees through motivational talks, NGO collaborations, financial aid for medical needs, and awareness programs across all staff levels. Officials at GJSCI credit Jewelex with creating an entire support ecosystem, for specially-abled training and employment, setting an example for India’s private sector.
All those activities are widely written by World Diamond Council under the WDC Members Making a Difference article & it was being shared through their recently WDC Newsletter series.
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