While Africa’s illegitimate diamond mines are frequently making headlines, grave gemstone workforces in India have somehow fallen under the radar. That is until now. Corruption within the diamond and gemstone trade is finally making its way into the public eye. A recent report from the National Labor Committee (NLC) has shed light on an industry that has fallen through the cracks. According to the report, numerous Transnational Corporations (TNC’s) have been illegally organizing workforces in third-world countries with complete disregard for human rights.
The NLC has titled their report “Hearts of Darkness” in an effort to raise awareness about some of the severe working conditions befallen to workers in the gemstone industry in India. “Workers in India, including children, will die young grinding gemstones for Valentine's Day,” reads one of the opening lines.
The report compiles shocking statistics confirming instance after instance of underpay, injury and even death among these abused workers. Calculations estimate that a typical worker in sub-standard gemstone factories earns about 13 cents an hour. In the major gemstone processing zones such as Khambhat in Gujarat state and Jaipur in Rajastan state, worker reform legislation is long overdue.
Records indicate that since 1988, 2,000 people in India have died from silicosis by inhaling silica dust in the process of polishing gemstones. Being that there simply are no official records from 1987 and earlier, researchers estimate that numbers are in fact, far higher. Silica dust and toxic chemicals used in the refining processes are commonplace in the gemstone manufacturing industry, however most companies follow strict safety guidelines, requiring workers to wear safety masks, safety coats and protective gloves.
In these poorly lit, overcrowded factories, new equipment would save workers from physical damages such as calloused hands, blistering, and arm, leg and back pain. Simple protective head coverings would be sufficient to drive down the industry-related death toll and provide protection from other serious lung problems.
In most laborer cases, workers are well aware of the dangers that they face in the gemstone industry. However, extreme poverty leaves them with few options. Sadly, there is no legislation in place in India calling for worker safety measures or minimum pay; nor is there any motion on the table.
The NLC is hoping that their report will prompt other humanitarian organizations around the globe to put this issue on their agenda to help provide fair wages, safe conditions and medical care for all employees of the Indian gemstone industry.
