Fair Trade
Our artisans receive a fair wage and
a comfortable working environment.
Reaching Out Arts & Crafts works in partnership with marginalized and disadvantaged differently abled craftspeople to empower them to overcome the serious barriers they face in finding markets. We achieve this in part through our Fair Trade Policy, which puts people and sustainable commerce ahead of profits. It's a tall order, but one worth reaching for.
Reaching Out has a grassroots network of disAbled handicraft producers from around Vietnam in addition to the producers we hire in our own workshop. We believe that Fair Trade is the most productive form of aid for other-abled handicraft producers.
When you shop at Reaching Out, you can be assured that you are purchasing items made from high quality materials by dedicated differently abled craftspeople who have been paid a fair wage for their efforts.
We adhere to the following principles of Fair Trade:
Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers.
In Vietnam , artisans are often disadvantaged by the conventional trading system, and people with different abilities are further marginalized by society. Reaching Out creates opportunities to alleviate poverty through sustainable development.
Capacity building.
At Reaching Out, people with disAbilities gain the income and self-confidence to become more self-reliant and independent. Our community programs and additional support programs strengthen this commitment.
Sign language class for our hearing abled employees.
Payment of a fair price.
A fair price is one that has been agreed upon through dialogue and participation, and covers not only the costs of production but enables production which is socially just and environmentally sound. Prices at Reaching Out are fixed, and we refuse to cut corners for the sake of a few cents. We use high quality materials, and our artisans receive training, a fair market wage plus bonuses, a daily lunch allowance and ongoing support and advice.
The buyers and producers develop and continue direct, long-term trading relationships.
Our artisans receive training and stable, secure employment. For instance, while many other handicraft businesses in Vietnam laid off producers during the SARS crisis of 2003 due to the drop in tourism, Reaching Out did not. We weathered difficult economic times as a team. At all times, Reaching Out provides special training and support programs for our craftspeople.
We love teamwork.
Equal employment opportunities are provided for all.
Reaching Out provides our employees fair compensation regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or disAbility.
Working conditions.
Fair Trade means a safe and healthy working environment, which Reaching Out provides, ensuring that special needs and different abilities are accommodated.
Transparency and accountability.
Reaching Out is open and accountable in our dealings with employees, customers, retailers and other business partners.
To learn more about Fair Trade, please visit these other fair trade organizations.