Trip to Jaipur & Kota 3rd Feb - 7th Feb 2007

Chris Harrop’s Trip to Jaipur & Kota

This blog records my recent visit to meet with representatives of the Hadoti Hast Shilip Sansthan Non Government Organisation (NGO) and my further investigation of the issues surrounding the importing of Indian Natural Sandstone in to the UK.

This trip had 3 key objectives:

1: To conclude an agreement with Hadoti to fund a programme of work aimed at the migrant quarry workers. This is especially important, as our actions to remove child labour and poor working practices from our supply chain have the potential to simply move the problems into neighbouring quarries. We can’t work there BUT an NGO can. Also we must always remember that exports account for just 5% of the total production, the UK represents 1% of total production and Marshalls have a share of that 1%.

2: To visit different areas of the region to assess the issues. This includes spot checks on Stoneshippers India sites, process and practices, and spending a lot more time in the Budhpura area understanding the production of sandstone Setts.

3: To begin discussions on how to address the environmental impact of the quarrying activities. At present there are no remediation activities carried out in any of the quarries.

It is un-realistic for Marshalls to think that it can change the whole Indian Natural Stone industry; that is clearly the role of the NGO’s and the Indian Government. Our role is to lead by example and to work as hard as we can to ensure that the products that we source from India are gained both ethically and sustainably.

More > 3rd February 2007