The gems and jewellery sector is an important component of the Indian economy. Since the 90s the industry made the quantum leap. India plays a leading role as the dominant supplier of every kind of diamond, as also an array of colored stones, required by global jewellery manufacturers. Today, India is poised to take a similar leap downstream with its rapidly expanding jewellery capabilities. The huge 1.5 million-strong skilled workforce is getting a boost with technical and design training institutes coming up.

Massive foreign direct investment (FDI) and a strong labour supply has earned China the name of "the world's factory". However, under the glittering façade of the economic miracle lies another side to the story. Guangdong Province, known as a "job paradise" for migrant workers, has attracted millions of workers from China¡¦s poor regions after the inauguration of the Open Door Policy in 1979. The development of a market economy resulted in massive and rapid inflow of foreign direct investment and manufacturing investments mainly coming from nearby North Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. The investments are concentrated in the "3L" sector--the labor-intensive, low-skilled and low-end sector. While the flow of foreign capital accelerates the speed of economic growth and accumulation of local capital, however, occupational health and safety conditions have not kept pace with the nation's breakneck industrialization.

The Problem: Ornaments and other decorative and showcase items are being manufactured from Agate and other stones in Khambhat city and surrounding villages.

The development of market economy after the launching of the Open Door Policy in 1979 results in massive inflow of foreign direct investment which mainly come from nearby North Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea and are concentrated in the labor-intensive, low-skilled and low end sector. While tapping the cheap and abundant supply of labor in China, they also export environmental pollution as well as work injuries and hazards from the home countries to China.