Suggestions for Lapidary Journal

Jewelry Discussion
21 
Richard, child labor plays a significant role in the world
gemstone market. It is a factor which those possessing a
conscience should consider when purchasing

Lee,

I believe this subject is much more complicated than just trying to
be conscious of who you buy stones from.

The scale and magnitude of child labor in all industries around the
world are not solved by a pollyana solution that if you ask someone
who cut the stones you are doing something for change. The fact is,
unless you are getting the stones directly from the cutter, you
probably have no chance at the truth.

Trying to do the best we can to be part of the solution is great. I
know that there is a limit to what my actions can accomplish. I may
have great intentions, but I have little control. I do believe we
have to try to change the way things are, but sometimes we make
things worse. I know I have the luxury of believing I have a better
moral value only because of where I was lucky to be born.

Part of my post is that our culture consumes mass quantities of
goods, not just produced by child labor. If there was any
awareness of those who consume , millions, rather that several
thousand, those who produce, there might be a chance for change.

There are cultures where children work from dawn to dusk to help
sustain the family. That is the way it has been, that is way it is,
and that is the way it will be for a long time. The people of those
cultures may desire education so that their children do not suffer
the fate they have. And it my take generations for the realization of
that.

In the U.S. we are fortunate to have the value system we do, for now
If all cultures had equality of living, our quality of life would be
lowered considerably. Only so much to go around, and we white people
do not play fair. American Indians?

Slavery here was not so long ago. Racism and bigotry are not gone.

And please remember, we just invaded another country. Buying
gemstones might not be contributing to the death of children, but a
war does.

American politics is thought to be corrupt, but the best system
there is If we are part of a corrupt system, can we be so moral to
look at another culture and judge their value. Why is what they do to
their children not their problem?

The world can change rapidly, and our children and grandchildren are
not guaranteed the standard of living we have enjoyed. If the
economy shifts, possibly due to our nation built on debt as it is,
they may have to drop out of school to support the family, not
slavery, but not what they have been raised to expect.

Sixty-four years ago, Hilter reputedly slaughtered 6 million, people
knew, did nothing. So child slavery compared to what? Death squads
that kill street children. Infanticide in China?

Perhaps child slavery is a better fate than what these children
would have suffered in the past.

So perhaps we should make a prioritized list that we all agree
on…so we can be conscious…

Serenity prayer anyone…?
Richard Hart

22

I am referring to the varied opinions, comments and attitudes
displayed in the recent past by Orchid members on mining, overseas
cutting, foreigners coming over to the U.S. to compete with
retailers etc etc.

Some showed empathy to the situation in the third world while others
defended their vested interests - nothing wrong with that. My
comments are not meant to answer any particular opinion expressed
but as an insight from a third world perspective.

Talking about Sri Lanka we have effective labour, mining and child
protection laws (along with institutions that enforce these laws)
that have evolved over a period of over seventy five years and are
often in line with current international thinking on these matters.
In my own lapidaries I do not employ child labour. We provide
reasonable wages (by Sri Lankan standards) and also reasonably
comfortable working conditions. We also contribute an additional18%
of the monthly wages received by the workers to Social Benefit Funds
and held in security by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka with annual
interest added till they reach retirement age of 55 years.

Third world countries are in various developmental stages due to
historical and innate reasons. So please be fair when you condemn
child labour and other exploitative actions. I remember looking at
pictures in the Time Magazines 50th or 60th Anniversary publication
of child labour being used in the U.S.Textile mills around 75 years
ago. Most countries go through these phases and as they develop
values and standards too keep improving. We cannot jump to the high
standards prevailing in developed countries overnight.

As a third worlder I would say that we do not need lectures and
reprimands or even war from those who are better developed than us.
What we need is more trading opportunities. My family and that of my
workers have survived in some comfort for over 30 years because we
have done business with customers from the U.S., Germany, Canada etc
who have given us reasonable deals over the years. We are deeply
appreciative of this.

The monetary values in each country is different. I would like to
give one example. During this season I bought greeting cards to send
to my customers. They were produced and sold by an Organization
known as Helpage which is dedicated to helping older citizens ( a
growing number in most countries) and was sold for US $ 0.20 each.
At the bottom of each card it stated that two cards will help to
provide one meal. What can be got for US $ 0.40 in a country like
U.S whereas in Sri Lanka it provides a meal?

Local wages of US $ 75-100 per month for young/beginning workers may
sound extremely exploitative but it is based on two factors - the
local wage levels and the amounts we get paid for providing our
services. For facetting if I get paid USD10-15 per stone then my
workers can earn US $1000.00 per month.

Having made the brief comments above I would urge the Orchid
Community to show brotherhood to each other by a lot of
intra-trading. Those who are well off please give opportunities to
those in developing countries. This is the way to improve standards
in these countries.

Speaking for myself I would like to offer my lapidary services to
other Orchid members. When you give me work you help me, my staff
and my country. Give us reasonable terms so that we can also develop
and improve our standards and help to build an economically less
disparate world which will also be a more secure world.

Orchidians if you would like to use my lapidary services please
contact me at: @intergem. I apologize in advance for
plugging my services.

Peace and prosperity to all.

Yath Iqbal
Intergem Exports and Ceylon Sapphires International.
Sri Lanka

23

Dear Friends,

Regarding the comments made by Yath Iqbal of Intergem on the recent
topic of overseas mining, cutting, etc., I think that we are
fortunate to have received the benefit of his perspective, and I
thank him for taking the time to respond so eloquently. I must
agree with his view that those of us who are able, must give
opportunities to those less well off. That doesn’t mean to say that
everyone should be willing to accept less than quality goods, but
the marketplace is wide ranging and there is a place for every
quality which will be priced accordingly.

The consumer will dictate what they require in a gem or finished
piece, for that matter. We can attempt to provide education to some
degree, but I do believe that ultimately, the responsibility for
informed buying is in the hands of the purchaser.

I don’t usually join in these philosophical discussions, but felt
very strongly that Yath should receive appreciation for his
response.

Susan Ronan
Coronado, CA, where it is just a little worrisome to live at sea level and
in earthquake country.

24

Yath,

Your response to some of our less well informed contributors sheds
light on the outlook and problems of producers in developing
countries. Sri Lanka has come a long way toward developing a
responsible, conscientious and technolgically proficient industry.

The global economy is here to stay and the sooner that we Americans
adapt to reality the better off we will all be. You and your
colleagues deserve our respect and cooperation instead of having to
endure the condescension of some of our pontificators !

Ron Mills, Mills Gem Co. Los Osos, Ca.

25

Yath Iqbal, I applaud you and your very, very clear and intelligent
comments on this issue. Unfortunately sometimes people jump on an
issue without thinking it through, or knowing all the facts. It is
our human nature to do so, and you have gone against your own human
nature in responding as kindly and knowledgeably as you have.
Again, I sincerely commend you. You have said all that was needed
to be said, and well.

I am so very happy for you that all is well after the terrible event
which occurred in your country. My prayers have gone your way for
all since it hit, and will continue to do so.

Thank you.

Maribeth Terry with “Hummer’s Sky” in sunny Tucson, Arizona.

Rennaissance woman on a quest for knowledge, skills, and friends in
many fields!

26 
     Talking about Sri Lanka we have effective labour, mining and
child protection laws (along with institutions that enforce these
laws) that have evolved over a period of over seventy five years
and are often in line with current international thinking on these
matters. In my own lapidaries I do not employ child labour. We
provide reasonable wages (by Sri Lankan standards) and also
reasonably comfortable working conditions. We also contribute an
additional 18% of the monthly wages received by the workers to
Social Benefit Funds and held in security by the Central Bank of
Sri Lanka with annual interest added till they reach retirement
age of 55 years.

Mr. Iqbal,

Your response is just what is needed in the USA. Most people in the
USA are not at all like the stereo type Westerners visiting your
country. In the USA we have our problems with child labor and unfair
labor practices. We are going through a nationwide struggle right now
with illegal immigration used by numerous employers to keep down the
costs of labor and benefits paid to a citizen worker, while
maximizing the profits they put into thier own pockets. By the way,
the costs of goods produced does not go down, just the cost of
production decreses. In the USA we also have to contiuously be vigil
as humans are smuggled into the USA in bondage to labor or work as
prostitutes. We fight these labor practices in the USA and we need
to fight them outside the USA. People in the USA are very much in
need of on site knowledge of the conditions in each country. In the
USA I find my knowledge from news organizations, people who have
traveled to the countries I am interested, people who were born in
the country I am interested in, and traveling vendors.

Please, help improve our knowledge of your societies laws and
traditions. For instance in a current US Labor Department assessment
of child labor in Sri Lanka it is reported that bonded (sold into
slavery) child labor, usually 5-10 year olds, is widely used mining
Is that true? It is also reported that enterprising
employers have found ways to legally avoid the labor laws. Is that
true? What do you mean by the phrase " protection laws (along with
institutions that enforce these laws) that have evolved over a period
of over seventy five years and are often in line with current
international thinking on these matters." I am unaware of any
International Agreement that set standards for Child Labor Please
give me a reference of this International Agreement.

I have been treated somewhat like you treat your workers . Paid
only the reasonable wages by the Jewelry Industries standards for my
work. For instance in the USA if you do not take home from your work
at least $40,000 a year you do have a growth in your economic
stature. You are in survival living from paycheck to paycheck. I
have been told by the industry professionals when I present them with
bills for my labor - that $10 -$15 per hour is way too much to pay a
gemstone cutter. I have also been told to not park my truck in thier
parking lot when making deliveries as it does not fit in with the
Mercedes, Cadillacs, etc thier clients drive. Also, do not linger in
the store to wait for payment. We do not want a worker amongst the
floor people. We will pay you when we get ready to make all our
payments. I no longer work for these people. This carries over to
anyone that I do business with. I will not buy from you or do
business with you unless you can give me assurances that your current
way of doing business is slowly changing…

Here is a suggestion for you. SriLanka has a gemstone dealer
association. Get the association together with the US Consulate and
have a report of the current conditions filed and a reconmmendation
from the US Consulate on which businesses are making progress in
human standards…

Why do I act like this? It is my firmly held belief that the only
way wars will ever stop is if humans all have equal opportunities.
Equal opportunities bring achievement and a feeling of individual
worth and allows groups to form that oppose internal radicalism. We
have radicals in the USA, plenty. They are kept in check by the rest
of us that use our collective power to keep them in check. In the USA
we have too much to lose to let the radicals ever take over. Other
countries can do the same. That way at the worlds bargaining tables
less and less military might will be needed. Humans would have a
need to sit down and bargain in good faith as they would have a lot
to lose personally if they let the suituation degernerate into war.

Gerry Galarneau
gggemswcr@cox.net