Carving Change – Improving Working Conditions in Natural Stone Supply Chains in India and Brazil

The project focuses on supply chains for sandstone, granite, slate and quartzite.

In India, the project focuses on Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In Brazil, the project operates in Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Bahia and Ceará.

India is an important supplier for TruStone members, particularly of sandstone for the public market and of granite. Brazil has also become increasingly important as an export country in recent years. The country is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of natural stone.

Identifying risks

During the first TruStone term (2019-2024), risk assessments were carried out in both countries. In several regions of India, risks identified included informal employment relationships, child and forced labour, unsafe working conditions, low wages, discrimination and the absence of trade unions.

In Brazil, the main risks relate primarily to occupational health and safety, long working hours, trade union rights, wages and gender discrimination.

The new project addresses several of these risks, with reducing informal employment relationships as a key priority. Informal employment can be associated with other labour rights issues and makes it more difficult for workers to access protection and social security.

“Thanks to the lessons learned during the first TruStone term, we can make significant progress in the supply chains of TruStone members,” says chair Pieter van der Gaag.

Building on Lessons from the First Term of TruStone

India

In Rajasthan, cooperation between TruStone companies, suppliers and local organisations has, since 2021, led to greater knowledge, trust and coordination in the sandstone sector. This has made it possible to better support and coordinate existing initiatives by organisations such as Arisa, Manjari and Aravali. These initiatives help children attend school, support workers in exercising their rights and accessing social security, and work with local authorities to improve facilities. Steps have also been taken towards greater transparency in business relationships. In the coming years, this cooperation will be further developed, with additional attention to formalising employment and reducing child and forced labour.

Brazil

In Brazil, the first term has primarily helped build a stronger network between companies, trade unions, government authorities and sector organisations. The studies conducted by BWI in 2022 provided an important foundation for this. At the end of 2024, these parties came together for the first time at the Brazilian Natural Stone Industry Conference, organised by TruStone, BWI and FNV. The conference provided a boost to social dialogue and resulted in an action plan developed by local trade unions. The new project will build further on this cooperation, with particular attention to occupational health and safety in the sector.

From Plans to Action

Carving Change translates these experiences into concrete activities at the workplace and across the sector.

India

In the sandstone sector in Rajasthan, activities include training on safety, health and first aid, medical screenings and improved access to social security. The project will also continue to support children's school attendance, better access to facilities and dialogue between companies, workers, civil society organisations and government authorities.

The activities are mainly concentrated in Budhpura, focusing on the cobble yards (where the cobblestones are cut by hand) within the supply chains of four TrusTone companies. Together with their exporters and the local organisations a concrete assessment will be made of existing risks and how they can be addressed step by step. Thanks to the effort of the local organisations in the entire region – within the framework of the project – so far 600 people received assistance in obtaining social protection through the government. Also, 28 children of families that cut stones have been enrolled in local schools.

In the granite sector in Ballikurava (Steel Grey), the project supports companies and workers in improving occupational health and safety, access to social security and the formalisation of employment relationships. In addition, dialogue between employers and workers will be strengthened. Tbus together with a local supplier, a start is made to improve labour conditions in a factory just outside of Ballikurava.

In the granite sector in southern India, workers receive information on topics including occupational health and safety, social security, grievance mechanisms and managing heat stress.

Brazil

In the natural stone sector in Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Bahia and Ceará, production sites receive support on occupational health and safety and the use of personal protective equipment. Campaigns on safety and health will also be organised, with particular attention to silicosis.

The project works together with ABIROCHAS, the Brazilian sector organisation, and shares knowledge through a sector newsletter. The training manual developed in India will also be adapted for use in Brazil, while dialogue with local authorities will continue.

On Julyy 21st and 22nd, Mondiaal FNV and BWI Brazil organized a tripartite conference about labour rights in the Brazilian natural stone industry. There, unions, companies and governments (from Brazil, Belgium and the Netherlands), as well as the International Labour Organisation discussed the prevention of silicosis, the reduction of workplace accidents and strengthening trade union freedom. The conference lead to an action plan 2027-2028. This plan centers on strengthening the BWI Union’s network.

Projectpartners

Companies:

• Arte Groep
• Brachot Hermant NV
• Dekker Group
• Kemie BV
• Kerasom BV
• Kuiters Natuursteen Import BV
• Maris Natuursteen
• Stone NV
• Tuinmaterialen Meynen BVBA

Parties:

• Arisa (secretary)
• Federation of Dutch Trade Unions - FNV

Local NGOs and trade unions:

• Building and Woodworkers International - BWI headquarters in Switzerland, together with BWI India and Brazil
• Dang Development Institute - DVS
• Paradigm Shift

Financial support:

• Netherlands Enterprise Agency – RVO

Project duration:

• January 1st 2026 to December 31st 2028