RxPG News XML Feed for RxPG News   Add RxPG News Headlines to My Yahoo!  

Medical Research Health Special Topics World
 
  Home
 
 Careers 
 Dental
 Medical
 Nursing
 
 Latest Research 
 Aging
 Anaethesia
 Biochemistry
 Biotechnology
 Cancer
 Cardiology
 Clinical Trials
 Cytology
 Dental
 Dermatology
 Embryology
 Endocrinology
 ENT
 Environment
 Gastroenterology
 Genetics
 Gynaecology
 Haematology
 Immunology
 Infectious Diseases
 Metabolism
 Microbiology
 Musculoskeletal
 Nephrology
 Neurosciences
 Obstetrics
 Ophthalmology
 Orthopedics
 Paediatrics
 Pathology
 Pharmacology
 Physiology
 Psychiatry
 Public Health
 Radiology
 Rheumatology
 Surgery
 Urology
 Alternative Medicine
 Medicine
 Epidemiology
 Sports Medicine
 Toxicology
 
 Medical News 
 Awards & Prizes
 Epidemics
 Health
 Healthcare
 Launch
 Opinion
 Professionals
 
 Special Topics 
 Ethics
 Euthanasia
 Evolution
 Feature
 Odd Medical News
 Climate
 
 DocIndia 
 Reservation Issue
 Overseas Indian Doctor

Last Updated: May 20, 2007 - 10:48:48 AM
News Report
Europe Channel

subscribe to Europe newsletter
Europe

   EMAIL   |   PRINT
Scotland's 'granite city' imports stone from India
May 3, 2007 - 9:11:15 AM
However, Beth Herzfeld, of Anti-Slavery International, said: 'India uses bonded labour to quarry granite and slate and British firms are contributing to that. They must ensure their supply chain is free of slave labour.

Article options
 Email to a Friend
 Printer friendly version
 Europe channel RSS
 More Europe news
[RxPG] Aberdeen -, May 3 - This heritage town has been synonymous with granite for over two centuries. But winds of economic change in recent years have forced it to import granite from India to feed the booming local construction industry.

The durable stone hewn from the once great quarries at Rublislaw, Kemnay, Alford, Dunecht, Peterhead and numerous other locations was used by skilled craftsmen and architects to shape the form and character of the city over a period of two centuries.

At its peak in the early years of the 20th century, there were more than 20 firms manufacturing granite in Aberdeen. The industry, however, went into decline from the 1930s and the extraction from the city's last working quarry at Rubislaw ceased in 1971. It is said to be the largest manmade hole in Europe.

The City Council encourages the use of natural granite within new prominent developments in Aberdeen. Granite salvaged from demolition sites throughout the city is stored to be made available for re-use wherever it is considered appropriate, ensuring that Aberdeen remains 'The Granite City'.

However, the industry's decline has led to a 'look India' policy because of the high cost of quarrying, cutting, polishing and transporting granite within the UK. Most new buildings in Scotland and elsewhere in Britain now use granite imported from India.

The boom in Scotland's construction industry includes high demand for granite surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. Local granite quarry owners find it more worthwhile to meet the demand by importing granite from India, where it is cheaper and where there is more choice.

However, the large imports from India have prompted concerns over the working conditions in quarries there, including those around the reported employment of children.

Some consider it unethical to profit from granite that is produced by workers that are reportedly exploited in India.

Maureen Young, research fellow at the Masonry Conservation Research Unit at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, told newspersons: 'Because of the conditions under which it is produced, it is very unethical.

'There is an argument for introducing legislation to regulate granite imports. We really should know where this granite is coming from and how it is produced. The import of Indian granite is extensive.

'There is quite a price difference and more choice. But it is very unethical. Often it is difficult for the importer to know under what circumstances it is produced.'

Among the Scottish companies importing granite from India is Fyfe-Glenrock, which also quarries granite from its quarry at Kemnay outside Aberdeen.

Company spokesperson Alan Bruce said: 'We do import granite from India. It is economical and there is a great choice of colours. We have an ethical purchasing policy that we rigidly stick to.

'I have never seen child or bonded labour in the quarries we use and I visit India five times a year. We employ 300 in our Indian factory and pay 30 to 50 per cent above the going rate. We insist on high health and safety standards.'

Another importer from India is Kirk Natural Stone, of Fyvie. Its managing director Martin Kirk told newspersons: 'We try to ensure that everything is ethically sourced but what can you do from this distance? You can go and see your supplier but you have to take what they show you at face value.

'I don't believe pregnant women and nine-year-old boys are working at the quarries we use.'

However, Beth Herzfeld, of Anti-Slavery International, said: 'India uses bonded labour to quarry granite and slate and British firms are contributing to that. They must ensure their supply chain is free of slave labour.

'Bonded labour is the most extensive form of slavery and is prohibited under international and Indian law. But it's widespread.'





Related Europe News
Moore returns to Cannes with scathing look at healthcare
India section kicks off at Cannes
Nesta extends contract with AC Milan until 2011
Federer, Nadal roll on into Hamburg semis
Fingerprint could identify smoker, drinker
Devil or wily lawyer - Cannes film looks at Jacques Verges
French president unveils new cabinet
'Blair could be in run for World Bank top job'
India's growing economic clout high on Brown's agenda
Roma snatch Italian Cup from Inter

Subscribe to Europe Newsletter
E-mail Address:

 Feedback
For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send any medical news or health news press releases, use feedback form

Top of Page

 
© All rights reserved 2004 onwards by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited
Contact Us