Child-and-adult-labour-in-the-export-oriented-garment-and-gem-polishing-industry-of-India

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92 The gem polishing export industry of India: Jaipur and Trichy ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The study The present chapter will highlight information concerning the structure of the gem polishing industry, the production processes, the working conditions of child and adult labourers, and the pull and push factors which cause child labour in the gem polishing industry in Jaipur and Trichy. The research will also give information on the latest views and experiences concerning the effects of the Government's Action Plan on the elimination of child labour from the gem polishing industry in Jaipur. Did the intervention of the Government eliminate the children from the industry, and could continuous intervention prevent the entry of (new) children to the industry? Polishing gem stones and doing household works is too much labour for girl children. They constantly feel a pain in the back and their knees ache due to being in the same crumped position for 8 to 10 hours.
Chapter 6 Child and adult labour in the gem polishing export industry of Jaipur 6.1 Introduction Ninety five per cent of all coloured gemstones processed in India is cut, shaped, polished and carved in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The remaining five per cent are produced in Cambay (Gujarat) (for agate), Bombay, Hyderabad, Karwar, Trichy, Coimbatore, Nellore, Cuttack and Calcutta. The city of Bombay and Surat are famous for the cutting, shaping and polishing of diamonds. In 1994-95, Jaipur alone contributed US$ 115.01 million to the total export of coloured gem stones of US$ 141.46 million in that year 134 . The gem polishing industry in Jaipur is recognized as one of Rajasthan's most important industries. The gem polishing industry of Jaipur started in 1727, when the city was built. The Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of the city, gave jewellers from Delhi, Agra and Benares the royal patronage to start the gem polishing industry in Jaipur in that year. At that time, gems and gem-studded silver and gold ornaments and jewellery were mainly manufactured for the royal families. Names like 'Johari Bazar' or 'market of jewellers' given to the main market and 'Manak Chowk' or 'Ruby Square' the name given to the main city square of Jaipur, are reminders of that time. Another name like the 'Ghat Gate' or 'Rough shaped gem stone Gate', which is the name given to one of the main gates in the wall around the city, also has its origin in that time. This industry is almost entirely in the informal sector. Next to many little verandas and newly established small workshops in the periphery of the city, many workshops are still located in the homes of the master craftsmen. The gem polishing industry of Jaipur is labour intensive due to the special features of most of the raw coloured gem stones. For example, the emerald, which is mainly processed in Jaipur, is a relatively soft stone which makes the use of full automation quite difficult. The stone will break too easily and therefore is worked by hand. This is also the case with many other precious and semi-precious gem stones. The tools which are used in Jaipur have not changed significantly over the last two centuries. Since the past decade the industry witnessed a tremendous growth due to an increased international demand for gem stones. The New Economic Policy of 1991 of the former Central Government increased this growth by giving incentives in the form of tax exemptions and other supporting measures to increase the production for export. Due to this expansion, the industry attracts a sizable number of full- and part-time workers. Almost every household in some parts of the city have at least one or two members who are employed in the industry. Rough estimates show that the industry employs around 200,000 persons. The Gurupudaswamy Committee Report of 1979 (GOI 1981:9) came to the conclusion that there were at least 10,000 children working in the industry. This number, however, refers to the year 1979. Up to today, the estimates of the number of child labourers in the industry vary, but show an increase, as can be seen from table 5 of this report. The increase, which is derived from different estimates, indicates that today there should be at least the same - or even a higher - influx of child labour into the gem polishing 134 Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, '29th Annual Report', 1995, p. 6.
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Child and adult labour in the expor
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iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The present re
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v CONTENTS Acknowledgements .......
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6.6.2 Legislation related to child
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INTRODUCTION
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4 Introduction ──────
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PART I Chapter 1 EUROPEAN AND INDIA
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Measures and initiatives in Europe
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22 Indian regulations and initiativ
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24 Indian regulations and initiativ
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PART II THE RESEARCH - CHILD AND AD
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30 The garment export industry of I
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Arranging the clothes at high speed
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40 Child and adult labour in the ga
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PART III CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDA
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Conclusions ───────
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Conclusions ───────
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154 Recommendations ─────
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LITERATURE ════════
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Literature ────────
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Literature ────────
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APPENDICES
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166 Appendix 1 Research questions a
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168 Appendix 1 Research questions a
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170 Appendix 2 Child Labour (Prohib
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Appendix 4 The Fair Trade Charter f
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Child-and-adult-labour-in-the-export-oriented-garment-and-gem-polishing-industry-of-India

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