Ethically-Sourced Stone
Some of our customers are concerned that companies sourcing stone from
India are exploiting the quarry workers there and, in particular, could
be using child labour.
Paving Centre Online strives to source its Indian stone ethically -
from quarrying through the supply chain to the UK itself.
The Paving and Flooring Centre cites Stonemarket as a prime supplier
which prides itself on an ethical policy which deals with such sensitivities. We
follow the work done by Stonemarket in obtaining proof with certification
that child labour is not used in the quarries from which our stone is
sourced and that adequate safety concerns are addressed.
Stonemarket understands that regulation and auditing are essential to
ensure international governance and ethical trading with developing countries.
Furthermore, Stonemarket is a member of the Ethical
Trading Initiative (ETI).
This Summer, the Paving Centre is launching a fund to help provide healthcare
and education to the families quarrying stone in India. If you would
like to donate to the Paving Centre India Fund, you can do so via this
website - Click on the 'Charity Donations' link or simply click on this
sentence to learn more about it.
As a member of ETI, Stonemarket is committed to improving conditions
in suppliers' work places and the lives of workers who make stone products.
Stonemarket has signed up to the nine point ETI Base Code, which has
the following principles:
- No-one should be forced to work
- Workers are free to join and form trade unions and to bargain with
management
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour shall not be used
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive
- No discrimination is practised
- Regular employment is provided
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
Independently Audited Results
As a member of the ETI, Stonemarket has a programme in place to assess
working conditions in our suppliers' work places. These suppliers are
audited independently on the ETI nine point base code - and re-audited
regularly to ensure compliance.
In India, Stonemarket only buys sandstone from Stone Shippers India,
which in addition to the ETI base code compliance, is certified by AQSR
not to source any raw materials from quarries employing child labour.
We will continue to undertake regular auditing to ensure that the highest
standards are maintained at all times.
No child labour is used in the production of Stonemarket natural stone.
We support Stonemarket in its efforts to limit exploitation in India
and are proud to carry Stonemarket as the prime source of our stone.
A PDF detailing the work being
done is also available - click here to download it.
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