Surat diamond exporter showers flats, cars on staff

While 200 who did not own houses got about Rs 4 lakh each to buy flats, 491 who didn't own cars were given Fiat Puntos

Surat-based diamond exporter Savji Dholakia has gifted 1,216 of his employees flats, cars and gold and diamond jewellery, as part of a loyalty programme.

With his company, Hari Krishna Exports, expected to record Rs 6,000 crore of exports, founder chairman Dholakia has given away Rs 50 crore worth of benefits to various employees, over and above the annual Diwali bonus. While about 200 employees who did not own houses received about Rs 4 lakh each to buy flats, 491 who didn't own cars were given new Fiat Puntos. Another 525 employees were gifted gold & diamond jewellery.

The company ensured only those who didn't own houses were eligible for flats, while those owning house but not cars got Puntos.

It not only gave away Rs 4 lakh each as down-payment for buying residential flats worth Rs 16 lakh each, but also offered interest-free loans for the remaining payment of Rs 12 lakh.

"In 1991, we recorded our first exports, worth Rs 1 crore. Today, our employees have led us to Rs 6,000 crore worth of exports. We have always believed in motivating our employees and, therefore, planned a loyalty programme this time to identify about 1,200 employees who contributed significantly to our growth. We had earmarked about Rs 50 crore as part of the loyalty programme," Dholakia said, adding last year, the company had gifted cars to 72 such employees.

"Gifting cars isn't new for us. We gifted Maruti cars to three employees 18 years ago; later, they became partners in the business. We see them not as our employees, but as shareholders," he said.

To identify "high-performing" employees, the company has been keeping track of its staff's work through in-house software, for five years. "The software helped us track employees who helped the company reach where it is today. We want our employees to grow in their personal lives, own a house or a car or jewellery, in return for their contribution in growing Hari Krishna Exports," Dholakia said.

Kanak Patel, administration manager at the 6,500 employee-strong company, who has been with the company since 2005, said Dholakia had ensured his employees remained motivated through the year. He added the chairman checked the company's suggestion box every day.

"Last year, I was one of the 72 employees who were gifted cars. Since I already own a house and a car now, I received jewellery as part of the programme. While such a loyalty programme has been conducted for the first time, the company does ensure we remain motivated through the year through various programme and facilities such as a gym, a cricket ground and an in-house clinic," Patel said.

"Two years ago, the company organised a pilgrimage to Haridwar for the parents of its employees," he added.

Dinesh Navadiya, president of the Surat Diamond Association, said, "At a time when youngsters are shying away from joining the diamond sector, such a move could attract more manpower."