The aim is to develop a certificate that is
awarded to Indian companies with fair production conditions,
which are regularly controlled.
Benjamin Pütter, Child Rights Officer of Misereor, and J.
Manoharan from the Indian stone quarry workers association
"Qwarids" presented the results of their work in Munich at
the end of June. Pütter used the working title of "Xertifix"
for the planned certificate. According to Pütter, the basis
for this certification is to be Indian laws. These provide
for a ban on children under 16 years working in the quarries.
Access to drinking water and shady shelters for the workers
are also a must and health damage is to be curbed. This means
that workers should be provided with at least mouth masks
or if necessary ear plugs for working on loud machines. The
quarry itself should at least be marked by a sign.
Pütter spoke of these measures as complying with minimum
social standards. It was not a question of creating general
conditions for fair trading of a niche product. A requirement
for the implementation of this concept is, however, that the
importers of Indian stones also participate.
Pütter says it is planned to set up an association under
the chairmanship of Norbert Blüm and Dr. Josef Seyer, Chief
Executive of Misereor. It is also planned to include four
representatives from the natural stone trading sector on the
board. Prominent figures like the actor Klaus Maria Brandauer
had also offered their support. Employees of the Indian organisation
AIGSA (All India Granite Stone Association) are also to be
involved in checking the quarries on the ground.Pütter intends
to operate with a lean organization, but costs will still
be incurred. Pütter’s idea is that these should be covered
by the importers of Indian stones paying a certain percentage
of their turnover into a fund. This fund could also be used
to finance supporting social measures.
Effective certification requires a broad involvement of the
companies importing from India, but only two companies accepted
the invitation to Munich. (August 2004, Stone Report) |
