CIBJO urges aid for Chinese workers with silicosis
DECEMBER 21, 2005 - Milan, Italy -- The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), has called upon companies which operate gemstone cutting and jewelry manufacturing operations in China to address what one report calls a "silicosis epidemic" among workers there.
CIBJO's appeal follows in the wake of last week's release of the English translation of "Deadly Dust," a report by the China Labour Bulletin (CLB) indicting working conditions in the Chinese jewelry industry. The problem is especially egregious in the Guangdong region, according to CLB, a non-governmental organization that monitors labor and working conditions in China.
CIBJO president Gaetano Cavalieri called for industry monitoring of jewelry workers' health and working conditions, and proper medical treatment for industry workers, along with reasonable compensation from their employers.
"As the virtual United Nations of the international jewelry industry and trade, CIBJO is unequivocally committed to assuring that the production of jewelry would not involve forced or slave labor or child labor; that the production of jewelry will not cause any safety or health hazards to the workers, nor to any other people who are involved in the jewelry production process; and that the process of producing the jewelry or any parts and/or components thereof will not be harmful and will have no long-term effects on the workers and/or the environment," Cavalieri said in a release.
CIBJO issued Cavalieri's statement days after his return from Hong Kong, where he attended meetings of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and met with CLB representatives.