Rock quarry slavery survivors in Tamil Nadu welcome stiff sentence for captors (Reuters):
Survivors of slavery at a rock quarry in Tamil Nadu welcomed a stiff sentence handed to the owner and managers, and said on Monday that the rare ruling sends a strong warning to other employers.
A court in Tamil Nadu found three men guilty of using violence, intimidation and debt bondage to force people to work in the quarry in Tiruvannamalai district, and sentenced them each last week to 11 years and nine months in prison.
India banned bonded labour in 1976, but it remains widespread, and campaigners say that less than two percent of cases result in convictions.

Kampf gegen Kinderarbeit: Landesregierung beschließt Runderlass zur Zertifizierung von Grabsteinen (Ministerium für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen):
Die Landesregierung verschärft ihren Kampf gegen Kinderarbeit: Künftig dürfen Grabsteine aus China, Indien, den Philippinen und Vietnam in Nordrhein-Westfalen nur noch dann aufgestellt werden, wenn sie mit hinreichender Wahrscheinlichkeit ohne schlimmste Formen von Kinderarbeit hergestellt worden sind.

South India’s granite stone workers are vulnerable to debt bondage due to burden of huge advances (CounterView.org):
Excerpts from The Dark Sites of Granite: Modern slavery, child labour and unsafe work in Indian granite quarries, by Glocal Research (Hyderabad), India Committee of the Netherlands (Utrecht) and Stop Child Labour (The Hague).

European Union told to ask India to "stop" child, forced labour in granite mining units, exporting stone to West, China (CounterView):
Prajapati, 14, a migrant boy belonging to the Adipathi scheduled tribe (ST), works in a granite quarry in Telangana. Belonging to Thapagada village in Malkangiri district, Odisha, he completed his primary school and dropped out. His father received an "advance" of Rs 2000 from a middleman, and sent Prajapati along with some other boys of his village for work in a granite quarry at Bahupet village in Telangana.
“Many young boys like me from my village are working in granite quarries and factories around Karimnagar town,” Prajapati told a group of researchers, who have authored the report, The Dark Sites of Granite: Modern slavery, child labour and unsafe work in Indian granite quarries.

Gældsslaveri og børnearbejde bag granit i Danmark (Danwatch):
Danske køkkener og offentlige torve prydes med granit fra Indien. En ny rapport viser, at migranter arbejder som gældsslaver i de indiske stenbrud, hvor børnearbejde også forekommer.
Vi bruger den smukke, skinnende granit til bordplader, gravsten til kirkegårde og stenbelægning på offentlige pladser. Og her opstår problemerne.
Produktionen af granit i Indien har nemlig store konsekvenser for dem, der udvinder den. En ny rapport, The Dark Sites of Granite, viser, at granit-industrien har massive problemer med gældsslaveri, farlige arbejdsforhold og brug af børnearbejde.

Die dunklen Seiten des Granits: Indische Granitsteinbrüche und die Verantwortung der Firmen (Südasien):
Indien gehört zu den Hauptherstellern und –exporteuren von Granitstein. Granit wird in westlichen Lündern häufig für Wand- und Bodenfliesen, Grabsteine oder Arbeitsplatten in der Küche verwendet. Regierungen und Verwaltungen in westlichen Ländern sind wichtige Endkäufer von Granit für Gebäude, Gehsteige, öffentliche Plätze usw. Die Hälfte der weltweiten Exporte von unbearbeitetem Granit stammt aus Indien. Für diesen dekorativen und geschätzten Naturstein muss allerdings ein hoher Preis entrichtet werden, den jedoch hauptsächlich die Arbeitenden in den südindischen Granitsteinbrüchen zahlen.

RECTIFICATION regarding report The Dark Sites of Granite (ICN/Stop Child Labour):
On the 29th of September 2017, a revision has been made to the report The Dark Sites of Granite: Modern slavery, child labour and unsafe work in Indian granite quarries - What should companies do? An irregularity was found in the analyses of export data.

John Lewis and Habitat pull worktops over slavery link (CIPS):
John Lewis and Habitat have removed certain granite worktops from their collections after an investigation found evidence of modern slavery in their supply chains.
A report by India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) investigated the working conditions of South Indian granite quarries. The results revealed rampant labour abuse including low wages, child labour and unsafe and unhealthy working conditions.

UK shops pull India granite (EasternEye):
Two leading British retailers have pulled a range of luxury granite worktops from sale after rights groups found that many of the labourers mining the rock in southern Indian quarries are victims of modern slavery.
John Lewis, Britain’s biggest department store group, said it was also investigating granite sources in its supply chains, following a recent report on workers’ rights in quarries in three Indian states by the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN).

Reaction of India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) on statements of John Lewis, Habitat and Nobilia (ICN):
... in the article "John Lewis and Habitat halt sale of worktops over slavery claims, stone sold in UK shops is from Indian quarries that abuse human rights, investigation reveals" in The Observer, Sunday 3 September 2017.

Flintshire firm sourcing granite from child labour quarry according to a major human rights report (Invest Money UK):
A Buckley based kitchen worktop supplier has been named in a damning report on working conditions in granite quarries in India.
A report by the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) and Stop Child Labour has revealed major human rights and labour rights violations.

Top UK Retailers Withdraw Indian Granite Over Child Labour Concerns (Little India):
Two leading retail chains in the United Kingdom have withdrawn a range of granite worktops from their stores following reports that the rock is mined in India by child workers. The retail groups, John Lewis and Habitat, took the decision after investigations revealed that their Indian supply chains are riddled with issues such as debt bondage, underage workers, and unsafe working conditions in quarries.
Many other firms dealing in granite products such as kitchen counters, tiles, fireplaces and tombstones may also look into their supply chains following a recent report on workers’ rights in quarries in three Indian states by the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN). The report revealed that over half of the labourers employed in the industry in these states work under dangerous conditions because they have to repay big loans, and get caught in a cycle of debt bondage.

Top UK retailers pull granite worktops from shops over Indian slavery fears (Thomas Reuters Foundation)/
Top UK retailers pull granite worktops from shops over Indian slavery fears (Reuters)/
Top UK retailers pull granite worktops from shops over Indian slavery fears (Mail Online):
Two leading British retailers have pulled a range of luxury granite worktops from sale after rights groups found that many of the labourers mining the rock in southern Indian quarries are victims of modern slavery.
John Lewis, Britain's biggest department store group, said it was also investigating granite sources in its supply chains, following a recent report on workers' rights in quarries in three Indian states by the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN).

Habitat and John Lewis remove products connected to child labour (Retail Gazette):
Habitat and John Lewis have stopped selling certain granite worktops after it was revealed that child labour and slavery may have been used to mine them.
Findings from a new study conducted by the India Committee of The Nederlands (ICN) revealed that many of India’s major granite mines violated labour and human rights laws.

John Lewis and Habitat remove granite worktops over fears of slavery (MetroUK):
Concerns over slavery and child labour has forced John Lewis and Habitat to withdraw a range of granite worktops from stores.
...
The India Committee of the Netherlands and Stop Child Labour investigated 22 quarries and six waste stone processing sites in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.

Slavery stain on granite (The Telegraph):
Leading UK retail chains such as John Lewis and Habitat have withdrawn granite products from their range over fears of child labour and slavery within its Indian supply chains.
Businesses selling granite products such as kitchen worktops and tiles are scrutinising the source of their products after global investigators discovered that debt bondage, underage workers and unsafe, unhealthy working conditions are part and parcel of daily working life in Indian quarries, according to a report in The Observer newspaper.

John Lewis and Habitat withdraw granite worktops over slavery concerns (The Guardian):
Supply chains of high street retailers under scrutiny after investigators uncover evidence of human rights violations and child labour in Indian stone quarries.
...
India is the largest global producer of granite, accounting for 49% of the world’s raw stone export in 2015. Three-quarters of the country’s granite is mined in just three states – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. An investigation of 22 quarries and six waste stone processing sites in these states, recently published by the Dutch organisations India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) and Stop Child Labour, revealed major human rights and labour rights violations.

John Lewis and Habitat halt sale of worktops over slavery claims (The Observer):
Stone sold in UK shops is from Indian quarries that abuse human rights, investigation reveals.
British retailers have withdrawn a range of granite worktops from sale over concerns that their supply chains may be associated with slavery and child labour.
John Lewis and Habitat are among a number of UK businesses selling granite products such as kitchen worktops, tiles and gravestones that have also come under pressure to investigate their supply chains after a report discovered that debt bondage, underage workers and unsafe, unhealthy working conditions are part of daily working life in Indian quarries.
India is the largest global producer of granite, accounting for 49% of the world’s raw stone export in 2015. Threequarters of the country’s granite is mined in three states – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.
An investigation of 22 quarries and six waste stone processing sites in these states carried out by the Dutch organisations India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) and Stop Child Labour, revealed major human rights and labour rights violations.

UK chains withdraw granite range over slavery concerns (Financial Express)/
UK chains withdraw granite range over slavery concerns (Crowdz)/
UK Firms John Lewis And Habitat Withdraw Granite Worktops Over Child Slavery Concerns In India (HuffPost India - Sep 4, 2017)/
UK chains withdraw granite range over slavery concerns (City Today - Sep 4, 2017):
Leading UK retail chains like John Lewis and Habitat have withdrawn granite products from their range over fears of child labour and slavery within its Indian supply chains.
...
An investigation of 22 quarries and six waste stone processing sites in these states were recently published by the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) and Stop Child Labour and revealed human rights and labour rights violations.

Neue Studie zu Arbeitsbedingungen in indischen Steinbrüchen (NatursteinOnline.de):
Das "India Commitee of the Netherlands (ICN)" und die Initiative "Stop Child Labour" haben eine Studie über die Arbeitsbedingungen in südindischen Granitbrüchen veröffentlicht. Begutachtet wurden 22 für den Export produzierende Steinbrüche und sechs Steinabfallhalden in den zu 75% für die Granitproduktion in Indien verantwortlichen Bundesstaaten Andhra Pradesh, Telangana und Karnataka. Prüfkriterien waren Gesundheit, Löhne, Sicherheit, Organisationsfreiheit und Schuldknechtschaft.
In jedem Steinbruch wurden über die Organisation Global Research mindestens ein Zehntel der Arbeiter befragt, insgesamt 172.

Dutch firms get granite from child labour quarries in India (New Europe):
Human rights groups in the Netherlands have harshly criticised three Dutch companies for importing granite – used to make luxury kitchen countertops – from Indian quarries that use child labour.
As reported by Dutch News online, the claims are based on investigation into working conditions and export data.

‘Children, bonded workers slave in India’s granite quarries’ (The Times of India):
Many homes have granite floors and kitchen platforms; granite is regularly used on tombstones. While using these sleek, easy-to-clean surfaces, we seldom pause to consider the conditions under which the stone is extracted and processed. A report released by Dutch NGOs Stop Child Labour, India Committee of the Netherlands and Kerk in Actie (Church in Action) shows that half the global export of granite is from India; about 10% of all natural stone traded on the world market is from India, which is one of the top five producers of the world's natural stone. Yet, conditions in stone quarries are deplorable.

Studie: Die Schattenseite des Granitsteins (Südwind e.V.):
Das Indienkomitee der Niederlande (India Committee of the Netherlands), die Initiative Stopp Kinderarbeit (Stop Child Labour) sowie die Kirche in Aktion (Kerk in Actie) haben eine neue Studie herausgegeben. Diese besagt, dass moderne Formen der Sklaverei, niedrige Löhne, unsichere und ungesunde Arbeitsbedingungen in den Granitsteinbrüchen Südindiens weit verbreitet sind.

India: Modern Slavery in Granite Quarries (The Sri Lanka Guardian)/
India: Modern Slavery in Granite Quarries (VisitSriLanka.com - Aug 25, 2017):
New research, commissioned by the India Committee of the Netherlands and Stop Child Labour, reveals that modern slavery, low wages, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions are rampant in granite quarries in South India. In some quarries, especially in waste stone processing, child labour is found.

The Dark Sites of Granite Modern slavery, child labor and unsafe work in Indian granite groves (Kractivist.org):
New investigation, commissioned by the National India Working Group and Stop Child Labor, shows that modern slavery, low wages, dangerous and unhealthy working conditions occur frequently in South Indian granite groves. Child labor has also been found in some groeves.

Dark Sites of Indian Granite Quarries: Modern Slavery, Child Labour and Unsafe Work (India Resists):
New research, commissioned by the India Committee of the Netherlands and Stop Child Labour, reveals that modern slavery, low wages, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions are rampant in granite quarries in South India. In some quarries, especially in waste stone processing, child labour is found.

TFT response to ICN report 'The Dark Sites of Granite’ (TFT-Earth):
The India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) this week published a report into working conditions in the granite industry in India. TFT welcomes all attempts to highlight the concerns in this industry and encourage companies to improve the situation. Poor working and employment conditions, few drivers for improvement, small margins and a fragmented industry are just a few of the barriers to sustainable change, but they are slowly being overcome by those companies committed to change. We recognise the issues ICN raises in this report and support the call to action – more companies throughout the supply chain need to do more to ensure that the people making these products are respected.

Indian miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens: report (New Straits Times)/
Indian miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens, says report (Malay Mail Online)/
Indian miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens (The Express Tribune)/
Indian miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens (Breaking News Pakistan)/
Indians miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens, report says (DNA India)/
‘No Helmets, Goggles, Shoes’: Indian Miners’ Safety Being Compromised, Says Report (NDTV Every Life Counts - Aug 24, 2017):
Six out of 10 labourers toiling in southern Indian quarries for granite for tiles, fireplaces and kitchen counters around the world are working in dangerous conditions to repay huge loans, charities mapping the hidden supply chain said on Wednesday.
Governments are among the buyers of granite from India, one of the world’s largest exporters of the rock, using it in offices and to landscape public spaces in cities, the rights group India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) said in a report.

The dark sites of granite: modern slavery, child labour and unsafe work in Indian Granite Quarries (India Environment Portal):
New research, commissioned by the India Committee of the Netherlands and Stop Child Labour, reveals that modern slavery, low wages, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions are rampant in granite quarries in South India. In some quarries, especially in waste stone processing, child labour is found.

New report: The Dark Sites of Granite (Stop Child Labour):
Modern slavery, child labour and unsafe work in Indian granite quarries – What should companies do?
New research, commissioned by the India Committee of the Netherlands and Stop Child Labour, reveals that modern slavery, low wages, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions are rampant in granite quarries in South India. In some quarries, especially in waste stone processing, child labour is found.

Three Dutch firms are sourcing granite from child labour quarries (DutchNews.nl):
Three Dutch companies which import stone from abroad have bought granite from quarries in India where child labour is used, Trouw said on Wednesday.
Some of the workers in the quarries are also vulnerable to debt slavery because of debts owed to their employer, according to a new report by three Dutch NGOs. The NGOs base their claims on an investigation into working conditions and export data.

India: Report finds modern slavery, child labour & unsafe work at granite quarries - What should companies do? (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre):
New research ... reveals that modern slavery, low wages, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions are rampant in granite quarries in South India. In some quarries, especially in waste stone processing, child labour is found. There is an enormous gap in working conditions between permanent workers (mainly supervisors) and casual workers (70% of the workforce). The first group receives safety equipment, insurance and an employment contract, while the casual labourers doing the dangerous manual work, lack those fundamental labour rights.

Indian miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens, report says (The Times of India):
Six out of 10 labourers toiling in southern Indian quarries for granite for tiles, fireplaces and kitchen counters around the world are working in dangerous conditions to repay huge loans, charities mapping the hidden supply chain said on Wednesday.
Governments are among the buyers of granite from India, one of the world's largest exporters of the rock, using it in offices and to landscape public spaces in cities, the rights group India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) said in a report.

Dutch companies sell granite mined by Indian child laborers: report (NL Times):
At least three Dutch companies sold granite that came from quarries in India using child laborers or debt slaves, according to a study by Dutch groups Landelijke India Werkgroep, Stop Kinderarbed and Kerk in Actie, newspaper Trouw reported on Thursday.
The study focused on South Indian states. The researchers investigated the working conditions in 22 quarries and at six locations where granite is processed. In seven quarries they found child labor and in nine debt slavery - where someone is forced to work unpaid to settle debt.

Indians miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens, report says (Reuters)/
RPT-Indian miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens, report says (Reuters)/
Indian miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens, report says (Thomson Reuters Foundation)/
Indian miners risk death for granite tiles (Oman Observer)/
Indian miners risk death for granite tiles and kitchens, report says (Mining.com - Aug 24, 2017):
Six out of 10 laborers toiling in southern Indian quarries for granite for tiles, fireplaces and kitchen counters around the world are working in dangerous conditions to repay huge loans, charities mapping the hidden supply chain said on Wednesday.
Governments are among the buyers of granite from India, one of the world's largest exporters of the rock, using it in offices and to landscape public spaces in cities, the rights group India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) said in a report.

Schmutziger Granit (Süddeutsche Zeitung):
NGO-Studie untersucht die Arbeitsbedingungen in indischen Steinbrüchen und deckt erhebliche Missstände auf. Doch kaum ein deutscher Abnehmer von Naturstein fühlt sich verantwortlich.

The Dark Sides of Granite: Modern slavery, child labour and unsafe work in Indian granite quarries - What should companies do? [summary report The Dark Sides of Granite] (ICN/Stop Child Labour/Kerk in Actie):
New research, commissioned by the India Committee of the Netherlands and Stop Child Labour, reveals that modern slavery, low wages and unsafe and unhealthy working conditions are rampant in granite quarries in South India. In some quarries child labour is found. There is also an enormous difference in working conditions between permanent workers (mainly those in supervising positions) and casual workers.

In this UP village, stone quarries are the only source of livelihood – but they’re taking lives (Scroll.in):
The hills are rich in grey limestone which is used to build roads. For the residents of Bharatkoop, most of them Kol Adivasis, the stone-crushing units were a welcome source of employment. “There is nothing else, no land, no farming,” said Beti bai, a resident. In other states, the community has the status of Scheduled Tribes, but in Uttar Pradesh, it is counted among the Scheduled Castes. Most members are landless.

In the stone quarries of Madhya Pradesh, lakhs are putting their lungs, limbs and lives at risk (Scroll.in):
In villages where livelihood options are limited, people are pressed to take up hazardous and unregulated jobs. Lakhs of people spend their entire lives breaking stones in quarries located in remote rural areas. What they get in return is not just a pittance but also many occupational hazards with the worst of health outcomes. It is high time to address these problems, understand their needs and start looking for the solutions.

Awareness of workplace hazards and preventive measures among sandstone mineworkers in Rajasthan, India: A cross-sectional study (Journal of Health and Social Sciences):
The aim of this study was to assess awareness of workplace hazards and personal protective equipments (PPEs) among mineworkers employed in a sandstone quarry in Rajasthan, India.

Swell–Shrink Studies on Stabilized Quarry Dust Cushion for Expansive Soil (International Journal of Engineering Research):
Increase in the construction activities has enhanced the demand for aggregates which lead to the liberation of huge amount of quarry dust consequently. Highway construction is one of the prominent fields for the use of quarry dust in abundance. However, presence of expansive soil in the most of integral part of India leads to questioning on the suitability of quarry dust for pavement construction. Hence, an attempt has been made to understand the potential of quarry dust cushion to prevent seasonal swell–shrink in expansive soil. Comprehensive studies of linear swell and cyclic swell–shrink of expansive soil with the use of lime treated quarry dust cushion of different thickness have been carried out. The results revealed that increase in the thickness of lime treated quarry dust cushion significantly reduces the swell strain of the expansive soil. The present study proposed that lime treated quarry dust cushion layer of thickness equivalent to soil layer can be used effectively and economically for the pavement construction in expansive soil.

Kinderarbeit im Natursteinsektor Chinas? (Jigsaw):
Mit der Reform des Bestattungsgesetzes (BestG) für Nordrhein - Westfalen (NRW), insbesondere § 4a BestG, hat das Landesparlament 2014 die Grundlagen dafür geschaffen, dass auf den Friedhöfen NRWs lediglich Grabmäler und Grabeinfassungen aus Naturstein aufgestellt werden dürfen, sofern sie nachweislich ohne ausbeuterische Kinderarbeit hergestellt wurden. Im nachfolgenden Gutachten soll nun geprüft werden, ob bei der Herstellung (d.h. Gewinnung, Be - und Verarbeitung) von Natursteinen, die in Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW) für die Produktion von Grabmälern und Grabeinfassungen verwendet werden können und aus China in die EU eingeführt werden, gegen schlimmste Formen von ausbeuterischer Kinderarbeit im Sinne des IAO - Abkommens Nr. 182 über das Verbot und unverzügliche Maßnahmen zur Beseitigung der schlimmsten Formen der Kinderarbeit verstoßen wird.

Public Procurement and Human Rights in the Netherlands: the case of natural stone (International Learning Lab on Public Procurement and Human Rights):
Sandstone and granite are used for paving public spaces like streets and squares and for tiling walls and floors in public buildings like office blocks, train stations and airports. This makes public authorities important consumers of natural stone. Despite sustainable procurement policies, governments often opt for the cheapest stone, not taking into account human rights and environmental impacts in production countries.

Mass health camp on silicosis in Budhpura (No Child Left Behind):
On the 27th of May, Manjari has organised a mass health camp to raise awareness on silicosis among workers in the sandstone industry and screen workers on the occupational disease. Silicosis is an incurable occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust.

In India's quarries, workers die to make pretty garden tiles (Thomson Reuters Foundation News):
Many workers in Indian stone quarries, including children, dying of incurable lung disease to produce garden and kitchen tiles.

Labour talk: A dialogue in different tongues (The Times of India):
It was a session intended to foster a dialogue between different sections of society - mine workers, businessmen engaged in the stone business, NGOs and government agencies - to figure out how best to deal with the issue of child labour. The dialogue was an effort of NGO Aravali, in collaboration with Unicef.

Jugend Eine Welt: Oft Kinderarbeit bei Billigimport-Grabsteinen (Erzdiözese Wien):
Hinter importierten Naturstein-Grabsteinen stecken oft schwere Menschenrechtsverletzungen wie Kinderarbeit oder Schuldknechtschaft: Darauf weist das Hilfswerk Jugend Eine Welt in Blick auf das nahende Allerheiligen- und Allerseelenfest. ... In Betrieben der chinesischen Steinindustrie könne Kinderarbeit weitgehend ausgeschlossen werden, während diese in Indien jedoch häufig vorkomme, verwies Jugend Eine Welt auf eine im Mai 2015 veröffentlichte Studie der Forschungsgruppe "Glocal Research" sowie des "India Committee of the Netherlands".

Ruhe in Frieden? Keine Grabsteine aus Kinderhand (Jugend Eine Welt):
Viele Menschen besuchen zu Allerheiligen und Allerseelen einen Friedhof. Doch wenn sie durch die Reihen liebevoll geschmückter Grabmale gehen, ist den wenigsten bewusst, dass zahlreiche Grabsteine, Grabeinfassungen und Deckplatten aus indischen Steinbrüchen stammen, wo Kinderarbeit, Schuldknechtschaft und andere schwere Menschenrechtsverletzungen an der Tagesordnung sind.

Zusammenfassung Rock Bottom - Modern Slavery and Child Labour in South Indian Granite Quarries (Lydia Nitschke):
Der Bericht Rock Bottom untersucht die Arbeitsbedingungen in 18 Granitsteinbrüchen in zwei südindischen Staaten, Tamil Nadu und Karnataka, die beide sowohl für den heimischen Markt als auch für den Exportmarkt produzieren.

Katastrophale Arbeitsbedingungen in Südindiens Steinbrüchen (Xertifix):
Neue Studie von Stop Child Labour und India Committee of the Netherlands.
Die Studie über die Arbeit in Südindiens Steinbrüchen (Staaten: Tamil Nadu und Karnataka) hat ein weiteres Mal bestätigt, dass die Arbeitsbedingungen auch dort leider noch immer katastrophal sind. Kaum eine Rede davon, dass in Südindien die Arbeit so maschinisiert ist, dass kaum mit Verstößen gegen Arbeitsrechte zu rechnen ist. Im Gegenteil: In Karnataka wurden 10 Prozent Kinderarbeit in den Steinbrüchen festgestellt.

One of every ten workers in Raichur’s granite mines is a child (Scroll.in):
Even as the Cabinet approves stricter penalties for child labor violations, granite mines in Karnataka still employ a large number of children, many under the age of 14, to complete stone processing. A report titled Rock Bottom by the Netherlands-based non-government organisations India Committee of the Netherlands and Stop Child Labour, found that minors accounted for almost 10% of the total workforce in six quarries in state’s Raichur district.

Modern slavery and child labour in Indian quarries: Stop Child Labour urges companies and government to take action (ICN/Stop Child Labour):
Modern slavery is widespread in Indian quarries. Child labour also occurs frequently. Most Dutch importers of Indian granite give no information from which quarries they are sourcing their granite or say they do not know from which quarries the stone comes from. This is the main outcome of the report Rock Bottom which is published by ICN in collaboration with Stop Child Labour.

Socio-economic and health status of sandstone miners: A case study of Sorya village, Karauli, Rajasthan (International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences):
This study is carried out with aims to assess socio-economic and health status of the miners in Sorya Village of Karauli district of Rajasthan, India. Mining has always been among the most hazardous of occupations and rapidly increasing demand for metal and minerals to meet the demand for growing infrastructure has greatly increased the importance of mining. The quarrying and crushing are carried out in many parts of India and majority of stone mines are unorganized.
From the study, it can be concluded that one reason for miner’s indebtedness is father carry forward. Sandstone mining leads to Silicosis, TB and body pain and musculoskeletal disorder. Large sample size studies will give a clearer picture that will helpful in policy implication for more than 2.5 million miners in Rajasthan, India.

Amend Mines Act to contain silicosis: Rajasthan HRC: How many of the paving slabs for sale in Britain were cut by tiny hands? (The Hindu):
The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has asked the government to take a fresh look at the Mines Act, 1952 to contain the alarming spread of occupational diseases and effectively deal with violators.
The commission has recommended the constitution of an independent agency with adequate powers to deal with all issues relating to occupational diseases and another panel to conduct studies and research.

Children of the stone quarries: How many of the paving slabs for sale in Britain were cut by tiny hands? (Ethical Consumer):
Indian sandstone looks very similar to York stone, the traditional yellow building stone of the North of England. Over the last few decades many of our quarries have been coughing up their last pieces of stone, and Indian paving slabs have poured into the market as a cheap alternative.
But as the market has grown, so have concerns about the stone’s origins. Working conditions in the stone quarries of Rajasthan were first brought to Western attention in 2005 by a Dutch campaigning organisation called India Committee of the Netherlands, who published two shocking reports.

Wet drilling in mines made mandatory (Hindustan Times):
Rajasthan has made wet drilling in mines mandatory from March 1, officials have said, as the state ramped up its fight against silicosis which has affected hundreds of people over the years. Officials said that mine-owners who fail to introduce wet drilling from next month will have their licences cancelled. JAIPUR: Rajasthan has made wet drilling in mines mandatory from March 1, officials have said, as the state ramped up its fight against silicosis which has affected hundreds of people over the years.

Mine owners told to maintain record of all workers (The Times of India):
In a huge respite for workers in mines, the state government in a first-of-its-kind move has taken an in-principle decision making it mandatory for mine owners to maintain a record of all workers in their mines from March 1, 2015. Till now, no such record was being kept and as a fall out, mine workers could not avail benefits such as the Workmen Compensation Act.

Report confirms high incidence of silicosis in Rajasthan’s Dholpur (The Hindu):
For many mine workers here, it began as a respiratory problem. And most of them were diagnosed with tuberculosis. Only later it became known that it was silicosis — an incurable disease caused by exposure to silica dust — and not TB.

Where dust brings death: Silicosis deaths in Rajasthan mines leave behind a trail of young widows (The Hindu):
The Karauli-Dholpur-Bharatpur mining belt in eastern Rajasthan, which produces the country’s best quality red sandstone, also has the largest number of young widows, most of them below 40 years.
The older ones were widowed some decades ago, and worse, young girls almost see their future unfold before them. The common link: they were married to miners who died of silicosis caused by inhaling of silica dust during mining or polishing.

Beltrami & the fight against child labour in India (Beltrami B Magazine):
You have undoubtedly already seen images of sweatshops in India where young girls are forced to work in the textile sector. A phenomenon in India (and other developing countries) that is not only limited to girls but also extends to boys in other sectors. In our showroom customers ask me sometimes if that’s also the case with natural stone from India. A tough question that unfortunately has an equally tough answer: yes, it is possible that the well-known Kandla setts are cut by children aged 10-15 years.

Silicosis swallows mine workers in Rajasthan (Business Standard):
For 10 years, Ghanshyam underwent treatment for tuberculosis (TB) as his persistent coughing and chest pain refused to go away. But in 2011, the stone quarry worker was told that he is in the last stages of silicosis - an insidious and incurable lung disease that has claimed the lives of many mine workers across Rajasthan.

Debt Bondage in the Sandstone Quarries of Rajasthan (Economic and Political Weekly):
With both the government and business refusing to even acknowledge the existence of the practice of bonded labour in stone quarries of Rajasthan, quarry workers in the state, it seems, are committed to a life of servitude.

Hazardous Work - All 14 mine workers diagnosed with silicosis (The Times of India):
The worst case of silicosis was uncovered when 14 out of 14 mine workers, who had been for a medical examination in Kota, were confirmed positive. The average age of these mine workers is 48 years. The figure is the highest percentage of confirmed cases of silicosis examined by the Pneumoconiosis Board. Sources said these persons will now be provided with monetary relief of Rs 1 lakh by the environmental board. However, till date not a single mine worker has been given compensation under the workmen compensation rules in absence of employment records.

A Study on Trend of Export of Natural Stones from India to Various Countries (International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology):
India is a major exporter of natural stone, which is the second largest foreign exchange earner for India besides iron ore in minerals category. The EOU scheme, which was introduced in 1980, helped the industry to modernize as it opened a window to usher in latest technologies for stone processing. India has immense potential for growth of exports in this sector. The purpose of this research paper is an attempt to study the trend of export of natural stones from India to various countries on the basis of its past export performances to these countries. The present study is a secondary data based.

Corso di Laurea Magistrale in Marketing e Comunicazione: L'industria estrattiva della pietra ornamentale e da costruzione ed il suo sviluppo nel mercato indiano (Università Ca'Forsari Venezia):
l mondo estrattivo della pietra ornamentale e da costruzione è sempre stato uno dei mercati di riferimento del nostro Paese, con il quale diversi distretti produttivi si sono sviluppati in Italia, permettendo alle nostre pietre di essere conosciute in tut to il mondo quali esempio di stile ed eleganza. L’evoluzione del nuovo mercato globale ha determinato però la comparsa di nuovi attori nel settore estrattivo della pietra. Mercati che in precedenza erano considerati come poco proficui e di scarso interess e, al giorno d’oggi sono diventati i nuovi protagonisti su cui molti paesi stanno investendo pesantemente.

Granite and Other Stone: Where is stone produced with forced labour? (Verite.org):
According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2012), granite is produced with forced labor in Nigeria and with child labor in Benin, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Additionally, gravel (crushed stone) is produced with forced labor in Nigeria and with child labor in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Nigeria. Child labor is used in limestone production in Egypt and Paraguay and in pumice production in Nicaragua. Various stones are produced with forced and child labor in India and Nepal and with child labor in Madagascar and Zambia.

Women in India Widowed and Forced To Work After Male Miners Contract Tuberculosis (Women's Revolution):
In the village of Majhera, located within the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, women belonging to the ancient Saharia tribe have lost their husbands to tuberculosis working in the illegal mining industry.

Mining and its effects on children, women, Adivasi and Dalits (ICN):
Reports recently released by Indian NGOs reveal the desperate situation for children and adults living and working in mining areas in India. Among them Dalits, Adivasi and women are the main victims. The report India's Childhood in the "Pits" published by HAQ, SAMATA and mines, minerals and People (mmP) shows that districts that are entirely dependent on mining have a lower literacy rate than the national average. The mortality rate of children under five years of age is higher. Child labour is rampant. GRAVIS has released the report Women Miners in Rajasthan, India. The report explores the harsh everyday life and work for female quarry workers in Rajasthan.

We can’t turn a blind eye: Child labour (Building.co.uk):
Children as young as six are working 12-hour days in some of India’s sandstone quarries. Yet many UK stone importers just don’t want to know about it. Sophie Griffiths reports on a scandal that is getting harder to ignore.
Five years ago, a director of products supplier Marshalls happened on a report produced by the India Committee of the Netherlands, an organisation that aims to raise Western awareness of deprived groups in the Subcontinent. It listed details of how sandstone was quarried, in particular the widespread use of child labour. As part of a company that annually imports a large quantity of stone from India, Chris Harrop was startled. He set out to Rajasthan in north-west India, to investigate the conditions of workers in the quarries his company sourced its stone from. What he saw left him shaken.

Indian Sandstone? Think again.... (dyg.ie)

The destruction of construction (InfoChangeIndia.org):
Half-a-million labourers are employed in the natural stone industry of Rajasthan alone, so it’s impossible to calculate exactly how many people toil all over India to supply the stone, cement and bricks of the boom-time construction industry. Yet, India still clings to elementary methods of extraction using bonded labourers, many of them female and under 14, with absolutely no safeguards.

Values carved in stone (BusinessRespect.net):
While TV documentaries focus on children working in textiles, an altogether tougher, more difficult issue gets little attention. Watch this - and you'll never buy paving for your patio or driveway without asking a few questions first.

The truth about imported Indian sandstone (Marshalls):
The popularity of Indian sandstone is growing fast. But are the cheaper options really as attractive as they seem?

Managing ethical production in India (Aggregates Business Europe):
Demand for decorative paving in Europe means significant quantities are now sourced from India but production is not always managed ethically. Lisa Russell reports on how Marshalls has taken a stance to bring about change.

Child labour: That garden stone, handmade carpet or embroidered T shirt you just bought was probably made by Child Labor (Forbes.com):
Jyothi Ramulla Naga is 4 feet tall. From sunup to sundown she is hunched over in the fields of a cottonseed farm in southern India, earning 20 cents an hour. Farmers in the Uyyalawada region process high-tech cottonseeds genetically engineered to contain a natural pesticide, on behalf of U.S. agriculture giant Monsanto.

Need for more sustainable Chinese granite (SOMO):
The import of granite and other natural stone products into the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and other European countries is increasing. Granite is much used for public infrastructural projects, like pavement. The production of granite and other types of natural stone is still far from sustainable, concludes the report ‘Improving working conditions at Chinese Natural Stone Companies’ that was just now published by SwedWatch and SOMO.

Rich Lands Poor People: Is 'Sustainable' Mining Possible? (Centre for Science and Environment):
This book is an attempt to document all the complexities of mining. While, it is true that mining is essential, it is not a simple 'dig and sell' proposition for a country like India. Its challenges are immense. The book gives an overview of these challenges - protection and preservation of environment and inclusive development of all sections of society - and where does the Indian Mineral Industry stand today.

A Code of conduct for the natural stone sector: A better way forward for the natural stone sector (Eldis):
In the last decade there has been a growing interest in the improvement of sustainability performance throughout supply chains. However, this report argues that sustainability standards for the quarrying and processing of natural stone and natural stone products in developing countries needs to be lifted to a higher level. Violations of basic labour rights still occur and good care for natural resources is not always considered. Although locally labour and environmental legislation may well be in place, compliance to and enforcement of such legislation may be lacking.

A Code of Conduct for the natural stone sector (Dutch Working Group on Sustainable Natural Stone):
Sustainability criteria to support supply chain responsibility throughout the chain.

Natural Stone - New brochure on code of conduct natural stone (Dutch Working Group on Sustainable Natural Stone):
Natural stone. A wonderful product. A product with many uses. Some examples? Floors, kitchen surfaces, memorial stones, paving and exterior cladding. The market for natural stone continues to grow, both in the Netherlands and internationally. Buyers value the quality of the material and the large variety of colours that are available. But do you also know where your natural stone comes from? Or under what circumstances the natural stone is produced and processed in its country of origin?

Silicosis - Educate, eliminate, eradicate (Discovering Stone):
Silicosis is one of the oldest occupational diseases known to man. Recognised since ancient times, this incurable lung disease caused by inhalation of dust containing free crystalline silica, is irreversible and the disease progresses even when exposure stops. Silicosis is preventable. However, it continues to pose a very real threat to some people on a daily basis and still kills thousands around the world every year.

Scandal of the quarry children (Yorkshire Post):
In the average Indian quarry 20 per cent of the workforce is made up of child labour, some as young as six. We expose the shocking truth behind the cheap sandstone being exported to the UK and find out what one Yorkshire company is doing about it.

A hard price to pay for stone floors (The Telegraph):
Quarried stone floors are in huge demand, but consumers seldom know the cost that may be borne by exploited child workers in India. Martin Baker speaks to a man trying to change an industry.

Is Indian sandstone morally acceptable? (Garden Design Journal):
Have you ever wondered why Indian sandstone is so cheap? It is often quarried at horrific social, economic and environmental cost. Louise Zass-Bangham reveals the issues and explains how we can — and must — change this situation through ethical sourcing.

Between a rock and a hard place - how UK patios rely on child labour: Huge sandstone quarries are fuelling landscaping boom on the cheap (The Guardian):
In the blazing morning sun Naresh swings a hammer on to a square grey sandstone slab, his features focused on chipping away the rock until it is the length of his feet. Around the boy are crates of blocks, which are graded by texture and shape before being tied up into neat bundles.

Costing The Earth: Stonebreakers (BBC Radio 4):
Natural stone is the thing to have in many homes and gardens these days. Granite is a particularly popular and stylish material for kitchen worktops and floors.
It looks good, it’s easy to clean and is now very affordable thanks to foreign imports that have increased over the last decade. In the last five years alone, sales of Indian granite in Britain have risen from 1600 tonnes to 14,000 tonnes – that’s an eight fold increase.

'From quarry to graveyard' - The Dutch natural stone market and responsible business behaviour (Principled Profit):
Inhuman labour conditions and wide scale environmental damage are part and parcel of natural stone production in India. This is the message of the report "From quarry to graveyard - Corporate social responsibility in the natural stone sector” published today by the India Committee of the Netherlands. The report describes the Dutch natural stone trade and details how Dutch companies and trade organisations are starting to take an interest in corporate social responsibility.

UK Company Accused of Multiple Violations (Social Watch):
This week sees the launch of a major critical report on India's largest mining company, Vedanta Resources plc, based in London.
UK-based mining company, VEDANTA RESOURCES PLC, is today accused of multiple human rights and environmental violations at its operations in India. These include: Abusing the constitutional rights of tribal peoples; Contravening orders of India’s Supreme Court; Trespassing on protected forest land; Ignoring basic health, safety and environmental standards; Exploiting contract labour.
The evidence is contained in a detailed report just published by Nostromo Research and the India Resource Center. The publication is supported by Mines, Minerals and People (India), Social Watch Tamil Nadu, the Environmental Investigation Agency (UK), and the India Committee of the Netherlands, Corporate Accountability Desk (India), The Other Media, Chennai/New Delhi, FIMCOTN: Fisher Movements Coordination of Tamilnadu & Pondicherry, and Human Rights - Tamilnadu Initiative.

"Our Mining Children" - A Report of the Fact Finding Team on the Child Labourers in the Iron Ore and Granite Mines in Bellary District of Karnataka (MV Foundation/mines, minerals & PEOPLE/...):
A report of the fact finding team on the child labourers in the iron ore and granite mines in Bellary district of Karnataka.

"Ground Zero" for exploited Indian sandstone quarry workers (MinesAndCommunities.org):
A recent report - Budhpura Ground Zero - gives a shocking account of the inhuman living and working conditions of workers involved in sandstone quarrying in the state of Rajasthan in India. Child labour, bonded labour, exploitative wages, rampant occupational diseases like silicosis and bronchitus, alcoholism, as well as women's threathened livelihoods, are some of its main features.