The TruStone Initiative starts the collective impact project Carving Change – Improving working conditions in natural stone supply chains in India and Brazil

In this project, ten TruStone members work together with NGOs, trade unions, companies and local authorities to improve working conditions in natural stone supply chains in India and Brazil and to reduce risks to people and the environment. The project will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.

Carving Change builds on the lessons learned and partnerships established during TruStone’s first term. Thanks to earlier risk analyses and strong local networks, the project can immediately focus on concrete improvements. The project targets supply chains of sandstone, granite, slate and quartzite, which are key materials for TruStone members. India and Brazil are important export countries, with Brazil now ranking among the world’s top five producers and exporters of natural stone.

Previous analyses show that in India the sector faces risks such as informal employment relationships, child labour, low wages, unsafe working conditions and the absence of trade unions. In Brazil, risks are mainly related to unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, long working hours, suppression of trade union rights, inadequate wages and gender discrimination. A key focus of the project is therefore on reducing informal labour relations, as these are often the root cause of other serious problems.

Project activities include, among others, training on occupational health and safety, the distribution of personal protective equipment, medical screenings, support for workers’ access to social security, dialogue between employers and workers, multistakeholder consultations, and advocacy aimed at influencing local policies. In India, activities focus on sandstone production in Rajasthan and granite sectors in various regions, while in Brazil the project works on sector-wide improvements, awareness-raising campaigns and cooperation with the local sector federation.

Read more about Carving Change in India and Brazil