abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Story

5 Jun 2015

India: Report highlights modern slavery & child labour in granite quarries

Modern slavery is widespread in Indian quarries. Child labour also occurs frequently. Most Dutch importers of Indian granite give no information from which quarries they are sourcing their granite or say they do not know from which quarries the stone comes from. This is the main outcome of the report on working conditions in South Indian granite quarries. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited BMB, Brachot-Hermant, Eurostone, Granit Deutschland, Granite UK, Gräf Granit, Granito Natuursteen Design, Kluijtmans Natuursteen, KNKE Emsland (Happe Gruppe), Maris Natuursteen, Marshalls, Natursteinwerke, Stone, and Veenstra Natuursteen to respond. Marshalls and Gräf Granit responded.

In September 2017, the Guardian reported that John Lewis and Habitat had withdrawn granite worktops following an investigation by the Dutch organisations India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) and Stop Child Labour of 22 quarries and six waste stone processing sites which revealed major human rights and labour violations. Habitat kitchens are sold by the in-store concession Kütchenhaus, which is the UK subsidiary of German company Nobilia. In August 2021, Nobilia reached out to the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre to share a statement, available below.

Company Responses

Marshalls View Response
Gräf Granit View Response
Nobilia View Response

Timeline