Around 100,000 children are working in quarries or directly by the production of cheap tombstones which are imported to the European market – German media announced at the end of the year.

The problem of imported low-price stone is a more and more frequently raised argument when defending the national industry. Imported tombstones are cheaper by even a third than the ones made in Germany. According to the statistics of the German Natural Stone Association (DNV), almost 50% of finished tombstones in Germany comes from India. Low price of Indian stones is a result of low production costs, which is possible thanks to hiring children.

However, more and more customers of stone plants are asking about products that come from above-board production. This is a consoling fact. More and more communes are introducing new rules in their cemetery regulations requiring, among others, from the family of the dead to show the certificate of the origin of a tombstone. Certificates for such stones are issued by Xertifix organisation. Its workers visit 100 Indian quarries every year. Thanks to their work many children are given a chance for education and better future.

Photo: www.wikipedia.pl