back to home

See also sections of this website entitled "Diamond industry", "Security issues / Conflict zones" and "Mining industry".

Websites:

Other materials:

2003:

Suit accuses Friedman's of racial discrimination [USA] - Friedman's Inc., the Savannah-based jewelry chain, was accused in a federal lawsuit Thursday of racial discrimination against African-Americans in hiring and promotions, and maintaining a racially hostile workplace. (Matthew C. Quinn, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7 Mar. 2003)

2002:

India: 400 child labourers rescued - Around 400 children from Bangladesh and Kolkata, working as bonded or child labourers in Nagarathpet, Bangalore, were rescued. They have been working with jewellery-making units without pay for the last five years. The fume filled environment of these units exposed them to lung disease and TB. (from Economic Times [India], in Child Labour News Service, 1 June 2002) [scroll down on linked page to find this item]

Jewelry Industry Forms Tanzanite Task Force:...The Tucson Tanzanite Protocol was introduced in Tucson on February 9 in response to allegations that the tanzanite trade benefits terrorist organizations. (Rapaport News, 25 Feb. 2002)

September 11 Victims’ Families Sue Tanzanite Dealers [USA]: The families of three September 11 victims have filed a wrongful death suit against dealers of tanzanite, alleging ties between the trade of the gemstone and Osama bin Laden, according to the Wall Street Journal. (Rapaport News, 15 Feb. 2002)

2001:

Letter from Thai Labour Campaign to Almond's Customers Announcing the Resolution of the Dispute:...The agreement provides for the company's recognition of Almond Labour Union and acceptance of the union's right to collective bargaining. (Thai Labour Campaign, 8 Dec. 2001)

• Global First: Three-Continent Bargaining Hook-Up Solves Labour Dispute [Thailand]:...The agreement between multinational jewelry maker Almond and its Thai workers was negotiated over the past few days...The dispute began in December 2000, when workers at the Almond Company (Thailand) Ltd. organised a labour union...Almond immediately dismissed 40 union members, including the leadership of the union. (ICEM - International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions, 2 Dec. 2001)

Gem Unions Want Industry Dialogue: World's diamond, gem, jewellery and ornament unions call for global agreements with companies - Talks should cover the full range of issues affecting workers in the industry, the unions said, including health, safety and environment, child labour and employment standards. (ICEM - the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions, 27 Nov. 2001)

Gem Industry Seeks Child Labour Ban: Child labour could be ended in the gemstone cutting and polishing industry under recommendations unanimously approved today by international union leaders from the sector. (ICEM - the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions, 23 Nov. 2001)

Gujarat reports only 39 child workers in state [India]: In its latest data submitted to the National Human Rights Commission the state has reported a mere 39 child workers in its four cities - Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot...Patel [Sukhdev Patel of the Campaign Against Child Labour] said, "The state has thousands of child workers at construction sites and garment units all over Gujarat, silver and gold jewellery units in Ahmedabad, bidi and agarbatti units in the eastern belt, carpet and powerloom units in south Gujarat and ceramics units in Saurashtra". (The Times of India, 2 Nov. 2001)

Business accused of sweatshop practices: A Thai labor leader and 10 New York religious and labor activists made a surprise visit to the Mount Vernon headquarters of Michael Anthony Jewelers Inc. yesterday to appeal for better working conditions and union representation at a Bangkok factory that makes some of the company's gold and silver jewelry. (Jonann Brady, Journal News [White Plains, New York], 9 Aug. 2001)