Earthsquared - Fair Trade Accessories store for Women's and Men's Bags, Scarves & Accessories

fair1 Earth Squared has been working closely with a fair trade company based in Northern Vietnam for the past 9 years. We work together to ensure fair trade criteria are embedded into everyday working life.

fair2 Almost all of the artisans who make the products were originally rice farmers earning a subsistent, irregular and inconsistent wage. The rice farmers in Vietnam are very dependent on the weather and other environmental factors out of their control. Working from dawn until dusk the farmers are still unable to earn enough money to feed their families and send their children to school.

fair3 Working as a seamstress or in quality control, for example, a person can earn a reasonable standard of living and also send their children to school and on to higher education. In addition our partners pay national insurance for each staff member that covers medical costs and provides a pension for retirement all of which is above the national legal requirements.

fair4 All of the women working are trained on the job at the workshop in Hanoi. Each person is encouraged to progress and learn new skills so that they can be promoted. The working conditions at the workshops are clean and safe and the staff have regular breaks and days off work. There is flexibility for mothers who breastfeed as well as a system in place for women who are unable to come to work due to a child being ill and off school for example.

fair5 They also work with a small group of women with minor disabilities. When two of the young women in the group, Trang and Dung, first started working they were lacking in confidence, unskilled and had had difficulties finding employment. With support from the staff they were taught new tailoring skills and over time have progressed to becoming team leaders. They are now able to financially support their families which has given them a place within their local society and has helped to increase their self esteem. Trang is now married and has a beautiful baby boy and Dung has bought a motorbike so that she has increased independence.

fair6 Some staff members are from remote provinces within Vietnam where there is widespread rural poverty. Often young women are sent to the larger cities and towns so that they can gain employment and send money back to their families. One such woman, Diu who was top of her class at school was unable to continue her education as her family did not have sufficient money. She was sent to Hanoi to work as a dish washer at a street café. She was paid so little that she could not afford to live. A relative recommended that she contact the company to ask about any available positions. Diu was initially given quite basic work in packing and dispatch but it soon became apparent that she was an intelligent and hard working young woman. With the support of her managers she returned to her studies on a part time basis and is training to become a computer administrator. She has also recently been promoted to team leader in quality control. She is now in a position to live comfortably in Hanoi, study and also send money back to her parents each month.

fair7 The company give disadvantaged women the opportunity and support to improve their lives through secure work, training and a healthy working life giving them financial security and self confidence.

fair8 Each purchase helps us all to create more work opportunities for other disadvantaged women and change their lives and those of their families.