FAIR TRADE
In the most basic terms - fair trade is an equitable, long-term relationship between trading partners, and a way to ensure low-income artisans are truly being helped out of poverty.
Fair trade is a growing movement to help low-income artisans in developing countries move towards economic self-sufficiency. It promotes sustainability on all levels and creates opportunities to alleviate poverty. Artisans receive fair wages, education, financial and technical assitance, and have safe working conditions. Fair trade organizations like Jaipur Handloom pre-pay 50% for their products upfront, and work closely with the artisans on design and quality. Fair trade is about respectful relationships and is having a positive impact on the lives of thousands of artisans. It is starting to make the world a better place.
It is also a long-awaited alternative to traditional trade and a way to effect real social change!
Jaipur Handloom ensures that we:
- pay a fair wage in the local context
- support safe, healthy & participatory workplaces
- provide 50% pre-payment for orders placed
- build long-term relationships
- provide ongoing education and training
- ensure environmental sustainability
- provide equal opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged
- respect cultural identity
- build long-term, direct relationships
There are 9 Principles of Fair Trade recently adopted by the Fair Trade Federation, and soon there will be explicit practices on how those principles can be achieved. All of this and a wealth of great information about fair trade can be found at: www.fairtradefederation.org.
Our Commitment
A longstanding member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF), with a mission to create positive change in the world through the practice of 360° fair trade.
Our FTF Membership means we are committed to fair trade principles in everything we do. We utilize a 360° approach that is about building true partnerships with our artisans and working to create positive change through all of our work. We are committed to being fair and responsible in everything we do – socially, economically, and environmentally.
We work directly with all of our artisan groups – which include a combination of WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) members, small families of artisans, and women’s cooperatives. They are all talented, low-income artisans who are paid a livable wage and have safe working conditions, access to healthcare and childcare, and on-going training and education. Our holistic approach means we have been working with many of these groups for over a decade – during that time we have seen many artisans lift themselves out of poverty and even launch their own successful businesses, strengthening the entire community.
Sustainability
Our commitment to sustainability reaches from our artisan groups in Asia to our offices in the Rajasthan or US area. Locally we scrupulously recycle paper, packing aterial, and boxes - you'll often receive shipments from us in boxes we've received rom our artisans or that we've reused from local suppliers.
Many of our products help decrease environmental impact because they're made from sustainable or recycled materials. And since all of our products are handmade (and often made in artisans' homes) they are not being produced in factories generating a sizeable carbon footprint. We try to source our products in partnership with the planet.
Specifically, we have a ever-growing line accessories that feature recycled Kantha extiles. We've also recently introduced other recycled textiles into our product line. As we increase the number of recycled or repurposed components our commitment will continue to grow.
