[Jewelry making - Article 01176] - Re: [Orchid] Suggestions for Lapidary Journal

[Intergem Exports]

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    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 AT eureka.lk.  I apologize in advance for
    plugging my services. 

Peace and prosperity to all.

Yath Iqbal
Intergem Exports and Ceylon Sapphires International.
Sri Lanka

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