IM Fair Trade

Planning to meet with suppliers of organic cotton and organic canvas

2012-01-18T15:03:00.000+05:30

Till now, we have been making bags in canvas cloth with prints using azo free pigments. Organic cotton is expensive but we want to see if we can purchase in a certain quantity depending upon our orders. We are also looking for jute which is environmental friendly and economical. But the issue is suppliers of organic jute are hard to find. And communication over the phone hardly yield results.
I have contacted some suppliers over the phone, website and e-mail and received no response from them. I wonder why they keep a separate "Inquiry and Contact" on their website and do not respond.
I have been successful in receiving a sample from one of the suppliers based in Chennai and in constant touch with him via mail and phone. Feels good that the samples will soon reach Sweden and now waiting for the price details. Will see what my counterpart in Sweden has to say about the fabrics.
Will meet with few more suppliers in organic cotton and canvas to know about their price and if they are a community based organizations. Dealing with big manufacturing unit is not our purpose. We, as an organization, support CBOs working for marginalized groups especially women. Hope our trip to Coimbatore and Tiruppur will be successful and we will get to take back some samples with us.

Tsering Youdon

Session on Testing parameters (physical & Chemical) on 13th December 2011

2011-12-27T15:31:00.000+05:30

The session on testing parameters proved helpful to me as this was based on the need for different testings done on/for different products. The resource person was an expert faculty from TUV Rheinland India Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of TUV Rheinland Group, Germany- a testing agency.
Of the 20 participants in the room, only few are aware of the testing requirements and doing testing on products meant for export. The resource explained to all of us the need for testing:
- Some testings are mandatory and some are made mandatory by the buyer.
- Testing is done to have a standardized products and minimization of rejection of products.
- There are products containing crude substances that are strictly restricted by the import laws of certain countries.

Testing recommendation:
- Washing
- Dry cleaning
- Fastness
-Fibre content (Physical and Chemical Testing)

Testing Agency available:
- TUV Rheinland Pvt. Ltd.
- SGS
- MTL
- Intertech
-REACH

Information on Azo-free dyes:
- Azo is mostly found in red, oranges and yellows. Azo dyes are also not biodegradable and hence are difficult to remove from our eco-system.
- Due to potential release of aromatic amines, such dyes and pigments are mutagenic, carcinogenic and sometimes allergic.

Supplier of Azo-free dyes:
- Sandoz
- Atul

This is the first time that I ever attended a workshop on Testing parameters and practical approach to each tests. And I found it useful.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Awareness programme for Dehradun handicraft exporters on International standards & need for quality complaince

2011-12-23T15:05:00.000+05:30

The workshop was for 2 days- 12 & 13 of December organized by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (sponsored by Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India).
The resource person stressed that the supplier has to think about good quality, price and delivery date as an important factor in maintaining continuous relation with the buyer. The supplier has to think before the buyer and tell them about the products that is selling in the market. The participants were made aware that buyer does not mean the end consumer. Supplier has to make sure their products reach the market and the end consumer likes them.
The supplier has to also take note on the following:
- Communication: Regular interaction is very important in understanding the psychology of the buyer. Supplier has to reach a point where the buyer makes the call or reaches you. At times, communication need not be only about price or product. It is also important to know about your buyer's personal information.
- Transparent: Transparent in discussing risk and potential issues openly in order to have regular order. Price becomes a major issues and it is important to re-negotiate with the buyer on the market fluctuation.
- Be ethical: Supplier has to make sure that their business operation is according to the law and rules of the nation. They have not employed any child labor and also provide good working conditions to the employees.
- The suppliers has to have minimum 4-5 buyers. It is a must to seek feedback from the buyers on price and delivery date.
- The suppliers has to keep in touch with the buyers in between contracts.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator
Report on workshop conducted on 12th December 2011

Field visit to Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany in November

2011-12-16T15:20:00.002+05:30

Apart from fair trade, IM has 19 other partner organizations working towards development of marginalized communities in the field of education, health and IGA. Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany is focused on Literacy programme under Education component.

Purpose of the visit:

- To follow up on the activities implemented during project period 2011.
To observe any positive changes in the project activities as a result of the Evaluation (for Project year 2009-2010) done in the beginning of the year 2011.
- To meet with ex-students of promotional schools in Guwahati and find out about their future plans.
- To know more about the coordination of SHG groups with Bethany Sisters and their role in the implementation of the activities.
- To know and understand the strategies in achieving the outcome using RBA (Rights Based Approach) during the project period 2012-2014.
- To understand their challenges in using RBA for the achievement of the desired outcome.

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade Coordinator

PO's network meeting at IM, Rajpur in November

2011-12-15T10:01:00.001+05:30

This year, the network meeting between IM's partner organization was not only about sharing each other's experiences and project activities;but on FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act), Income Tax, budget monitoring and RBA (Rights Based Approach).
Besides IM's partner organizations, accountants and management of other organization such as monasteries, local Tibetan administration, private institution and IM's auditors participated in the workshop. Almost 50 participants were present during the workshop on FCRA.
The FCRA new rules and regulations in India will be applicable to all the voluntary agencies/organizations working towards the development of the communities...mainly marginalized groups through Education, Health and IGA programmes. And many feels that the new rules are constricted and stringent. But they have to follow them.
The network meeting is helpful in providing updated information on IM's new strategies and approach in the development programmes. The partner organizations are informed about the new changes in the programme and provided feedback on their reporting from the IM office.
Over the years, I personally feel that we have grown stronger as a team - collectively going through all the projects, compiling of the quantitative and qualitative data and working together on project reports, strategies and organizational report and evaluation. And it was found useful as we all have some information on each projects and are aware of each partner organization's SWOT.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Surprised to find that my last blog input was 2 months back....!

2011-12-14T16:53:00.000+05:30

The month of October and November went by so fast. Janusz, our Asia Desk officer at IM Lund came and we had a meeting at Delhi on the future of "IM fair trade". We had a meeting with Jacky from MESH, Miss Moon Sharma from TARA and staff of Fair trade forum India.
MESH and TARA are our suppliers based in Delhi. And IMEX based in Rajpur is a member of the national network of fair trade in India which is growing and spreading its wing.
The meeting turned out well with all three of them.........discussing on the new things and changes happening within the IM Fair trade department, new color trends and products expected from the suppliers, product quality, design and timely order delivery.
Jacky was very satisfied with the discussion and comment that is happening across the table and in person. It gave them a very good idea of the demands of the buyer i.e. IM Fair trade shops.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Meeting with the Settlement officer Mr. Palden and project officer Chonyi Dolma- SWM in Mundgod

2011-09-27T16:11:00.002+05:30

The Solid waste management comes under the DoHome(Central Tibetan Administration).

Solid waste management in Mundgod Tibetan Settlement

Solid Waste Management

- We had a discussion with the settlement officer on solid waste management, their future plans and sustainability of the project as this project funded by IM will phase out from 2012. Mr Palden shared with us the situation in the settlement regarding community’s attitude, positive attitude of the govt.’s employee toward the SWM intervention, support from the local people etc.

- The District commissioner of Karwar is very supportive of the SWM intervention in the settlement and has encouraged others to follow suit. Especially the sign board by the road side in the settlement such as “save tress”, “No to Plastic” and many more on the SWM theme caught his attention the most.
He is an environmentalist and has asked them to root out the shrub- Parthenium plant- which is in abundance in the settlement- as it causes great harm not only to the human being but also to the environment. It causes asthma and cancer. It has now been almost wiped out completely in the settlement.

Parthenium

- (The pollen grains of Parthenium Hysterophorus, or congress grass or carrot grass in common parlance, cause several diseases like eczema, asthma and dermatitis, a senior scientist of the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra, said. "It is a poisonous, allergic and aggressive weed whose pollens float in air and cause eczema,asthma, dermatitis, hay fever (kalazar) etc in human beings," Mishra said.)

- The District Commissioner also gave 30,000 plant i.e Pongamia Pinnata for making boi-diesel. If you sell the seed, it costs about Rs. 8/kg. I looked for more information on the net and it amazed me. More information on this below:-

Pongamia Pinnata

- (What is Pongamia Pinnata?

It is a deciduous tree that grows to about 15-25 meters in height with a large canopy that spreads equally wide. The leaves are a soft, shiny burgundy in early summer and mature to a glossy, deep green as the season progresses. Small clusters of white, purple, and pink flowers blossom on their branches throughout the year, maturing into brown seed pods. The tree is well suited to intense heat and sunlight and its dense network of lateral roots and its thick, long taproot make it drought tolerant. The dense shade it provides slows the evaporation of surface water and its root structures promote nitrogen fixation, which moves nutrients from the air into the soil. Withstanding temperatures slightly below 0°C to 50°C and a minimum annual rainfall of 500 mm, the tree grows wild on sandy and rocky soils, including oolitic limestone, but will grow in most soil types, even with its roots in salt water.

- Pongamia Pinnata trees are normally planted along the highways, roads and canals to stop soil erosion. Billions of trees exist all over India. If the seeds fallen along road side are collected, and oil is extracted at village level expellers, tousands of tons of oil will be available for Lighting the Lamps in rural area. It is the best oil for lighting. Since these are spread over a large area, collection of seeds for BioDiesel manufacture is not viable. (A compact plantation can support a BioDiesel plant). Seeds are 10-20 cm long, oblong, and light brown in color.)

- The Mundgod Tibetan settlement is now switching over to organic farming as a result of intervention by DoHome under organic farming. Besides, the Karnataka Govt. has decided to move towards expanding organic farming in the state on a large scale.

- When asked about the sustainability of the SWM project in the settlement without IM support, Mr. Palden said the community may not be ready to pay Rs.10 against Rs. 5 which is collected from each household at present. Mr. Kalsang thupten came out with a suggestion that it may be a good idea to collect the fees separately and not together with other expenses incurred by the community people such as water bill and other expenses.

- Mr. Palden told us that there will be a meeting in October-November with all the camp leader and monastery to discuss on this issues. Besides, there is a new intervention called Revitalization of Tibetan settlement by the US Govt..one of its objective being employment generation in the community. They are hopeful that they will be able to use this fund in the SWM project and to make it more sustainable.

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade Coordinator

IM project Counseling under DoEducation

2011-09-27T16:03:00.001+05:30

The counselling office is based in Mundgod which is few km from Yellapur. The counselling cell is reaching out to all the schools in the 5 Tibetan Settlements in Karnataka state.

Mr. Jamyang Wangyal, the Counsellor

- Our first visit was to the counseling cell to meet with Mr. Jamyang Wangyal, the counsellor and his assistant Miss Tsundue. They came back after conducting a counselling program in Bangalore. It was interesting to know and see how the counseling works and read the feedback of the students at the school and college level.

- A decade back, when we were in school, there were no counselling or a guidance cell where we could go and share our concerns about courses and the scope. We went along with our guts, many following their friend’s and not many in the professional arena except for the Nursing course.

It became a trend few years back with flock of students opting for Nursing especially general nursing and is still a trend amongst Tibetan girls who either wishes to settle abroad or thinking it has a better job prospect. Now it’s a totally different scenario in the school surrounding where you will find different scholarships available for students on the notice board and information on professional course and having a permanent teacher counsellor in the school. These information were inaccessible during our school days. I have never ever seen such information displayed on the notice board nor heard it during Assembly.

- From 2012, the counselling project under the DoEducation, CTA which is funded IM will focus in the central part of India where there are 3 Tibetan settlements- Bandra, Mainpat and Odisha. When asked about the counselor’s views on the new project application, he told us that the counseling in the present schools should not be phased out or discontinued as these are the biggest Tibetan settlements comprising of majority of children in the higher secondary classes. He said he has no idea of any new plans of DoEducation from 2012 and expressed his wish to have more staff deployed in the south zone as the office remains closed during his visit to different schools and colleges leaving school children inaccessible to the counseling cell.

- We were surprised to know that not all the information is shared with the counselor as to the future plans of DoEducation which we all felt necessary because he is one of the main person in the southern region where Tibetans are in majority, students pursuing in the higher secondary classes are many. Not enough communication or exchange of ideas or suggestion seems to be taking place between the PO (DoEducation) and the field office. The word I stressed would be - not enough “Transparency” and “Participation”. The field office chalks out the activity plan and acts accordingly.

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade Coordinator

Visit to two SHGs (Male and Women) in Birgadde village- TEED Trust

2011-09-27T15:33:00.001+05:30

- The meeting was held at the youth building in the village. The balwadi classes are also conducted in the same building as their new building is in construction with support from the Govt. We saw few children waiting outside for their parents who have come for the meeting. Of the 28 people who participated, there are 3 members who have both the families in the SHG.

- -Means of transportation and access to other facilities: Their village is 7 km from the main road and there is only one bus in a week..i.e. Sunday. The Govt. mobile clinic is available only on Friday from 2-5pm. During emergency, they call private vehicle to reach the hospital. All the minor ailment are cured by using herbal medicine such as sandalwood paste and other medicinal plant grown in the forest.
- After the SHG formation, 75% of them can read and sign. They are involved in inter-loaning but have no bank linkages. They do not get any govt. subsidized loan. But they are not taking loans from the landlords as they live far from them. They take part in the orientation programme by TEED Trust on taking loan and payment of interest on time so that their SHG will grow. Trainings on leadership, President’s and Secy’s role, vocational training, carpenter training, revolving fund, education support and balwadi etc are provided by TEED Trust.
TEED Trust is the first NGO to enter this village and spread awareness on the SHG concept and in tapping govt’s schemes and services. It was when the couple – Poojary had the toughest time and the biggest challenge in bringing together the people who are scattered having no concrete support in the field of education, IGA or more importantly availing govt’s services to form a group and work together for the same cause. They have succeeded in gaining their trust. There are SHG that are doing very well and there are ones that dissolves after few years as a result of migration for employment purpose.
We met two girls who have passed out the vocational training under TEED Trust and now a part of the SHG. They are continuing their tailoring work and earning Rs. 500 per month during festivals and Rs. 300 per month during off season.

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade coordinator

Visit to Shri Varalaxmi SHG at Karaknabail village - TEED Trust

2011-09-27T14:59:00.002+05:30

- This SHG was formed in the year 2003 and has 20 members collecting a membership fees of Rs. 20/month from each members. This SHG was formed by Mr. Chennapa, one of the staff at TEED Trust and husband of one of the members. 11 of them participated in this monthly meeting as the rest were working in the agriculture field as it was the cultivation period. Those who do not participate have to pay a penalty of Rs. 5 and if any member is found absent in three consecutive meetings, they will be asked to leave the SHG with their principle amount refunded. However, this is a rare case – clarified one of the members when we put the question. The SHG maintains record of their meetings, resolution, bank loan and others. Everyone can become the president of the SHG as it is on a rotation basis.

- We interviewed Mrs. Nagaveni age 42 and a member of this SHG. Nagaveni is a widow but she has two children- both in their early twenties. Her daughter is married and son is helping her in the agriculture field. She studied till primary and can write in their local language i.e. kanada. Her average monthly income is 1000 only from July-December (seasonal work) where she earns Rs. 60/day when there is demand for labour. There is no work from Jan-June. She lives on the encroached land where she grows coconut. She pays Rs. 35-40 for her thatched house and electricity Rs. 50 on a monthly basis. There is a pump set in the village for drinking and cooking purpose. When asked if she is taking any loans from the landlords: “No, she said (then went on), my son is helping me”. When there is no work, she sits at home and works as a daily labourer. To our question on their experiences and changes they have gone through- they replied- the SHG in these areas has helped these women develop a strong sense of individuality, understanding for their community and improve their socio-economic status in the community. As a group, they have come stronger and feel easy to tackle problems faced by any members.

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade Coordinator

Visit to other SOIR-IM's projects - TEED Trust in Yellapur, Karnataka State

2011-09-27T14:55:00.001+05:30

TEED Trust has a total of 121 SHGs with a total of 2160 members. During our meeting with SHG federaton, a total of 57 women participated along with 7 male staff of TEED Trust.

The formation of SHG has helped in building a strong network in the family, community and resulted in increased income in the family. Following are the experiences and knowledge gained by the members of SHG:-

1) They are aware of the importance of saving money, cooperating with other members and are able to send their children to school, learned how to sign their names, can provide education support to their children pursuing higher education and improved social and economic status.

- 2) Members not only work as a daily labourer but has a small agriculture field growing paddy and a dairy farm.

- 3) As a result of SHG formation and group support, they can now tackle domestic voilence faced by any members.

- 4) There are also many cases where husbands are cooperative and help in repaying the loan.

- 5) With the support from TEED Trust and as a group, they tap govt. services easily such as subsidized loans schemes that is presently successful with some groups. There are groups not availing any Govt. scheme.or having any bank linkages.

- 6) A proactive in the community development such as closing down liquor shops in the area, distributing books and sweets to schools, education support to poor families and support in building temple in the area.

- 7) They are not scared to approach govt. officials and have achieved in getting Schedule caste and tribe identification registered. TEED Trust has played a significant role in lobbying and tapping of govt’s resources…in the case of Forest rights for the tribals.

- 8) They have availed the govt. employment scheme, MNREGA (The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage). They are paid Rs. 125 a day and there are instances where payment is not done on time or not transferred to the workers…..the bureaucracy exists even in the remotest rural areas. But in one case, the people went on a strike and solved the matter – shared one of them. The SHG has made these people quite powerful and aware of their rights.

- 9) Women share important information on health, tapping govt. schemes,savings etc collected during capacity building provided by TEED Trust with their husbands.

- 10) They visit either religious places nearby or a picnic spot for exposure from their collected savings. And the decision is made by all as there are families in the group under BPL who can not afford to go on a long tour.

- Earlier they did not know how to approach a bank manager – said one woman- but now they can write application and introduce themselve to the bank manager and social welfare department.

- 11) With the help of TEED Trust, they can send their children to pursue higher level of education such as LLB, M.Com to name a few.

- Mrs. Mohini translated to us that these women feel that they were living a cage before the SHG formation---- involved in cooking only…but now they are earning and saving too. They are able to repay the loans within the stipulated period (six months).

- 12) Communication with the outside people has increased and are able to do community service such as..providing assistance as cooking or serving food during marriage function or performing yakshagana during festival in the village. “Yakshagana” is a theatre performance usually depicting a story from Indian epic poems or Kuranas.

Note: Internet is very slow, so could not upload the picture. Will do it soon.

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade Coordinator

An interview with Kottaikarupaye....at the packaging department

2011-09-26T16:47:00.000+05:30

Kottaikarupaye is another lady working in the quality checking departent. She is 25 years old married with a 7 year old sdaughter who is studying in 3^rd standard in a Govt. School. When I was interviewing Sudha, she volunteered to give interview- which made me happy. She is young and very expressive. I was happy to be able to communicate with her in broken english, hindi and tamil. We learned some of the greetings in tamil during our trip to RTU few years back.

Her village is Kallupatti – and her house is not very far from work station. She has studied till 8^th standard and can write in english. Besides, she and her husband is helping her daughter in her studies. Her husband is doing correspondence course in B.Com but working as a daily wage labour. They have been married for 8 years and he is 27 years.

She worked in the quality checking department for a year before RTU closed down the industry unit. For a year, She did not work and stayed at home. It has been 8 months since she joined Aaharam in the quality checking department. Before that she was in the banana rope production for CCD which is weaved to make window and door curtains. At Aaharam, her earning is Rs. 2000 per month same as that of her husband. She does not have to pay fees for her children as it is a Govt. school. She wants her daughter to pursue higher education.

From the Govt., they got free TV during the previous Govt. rule. The present Govt. is providing rice for free under the Public distribution system, fan and mixer for free to all the people in September- said Mrs. Gomathy.

The public distribution system is applicable to people holding ration card. The rates for these distribution in Chennai are as follow:-

Particulars	Rupees per kg	Allotted kg for each family
Rice	Free	20 kg
Wheat	Rs. 14 per kg	3 kg
Sugar	Rs. 25 per kg	2 kg
Edible oil	Rs. 45 per kg	3 ltr
Dal	Rs. 25 per kg	1 kg

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade Coordinator

An interview with Sudha in the quality checking department at Aaharam weavers

2011-09-26T16:10:00.000+05:30

Sudha is 27 years old married with two kids age 5 and 2 respectively. Her husband is a soldier and based in Kargil like many other soldiears guarding the Line of Border between India and Pakistan. A very vulnerable place. I asked if she is not scared of him living so far……..and she smiles and says “No”. She loves taking pictures of herself and smiles a lot! I felt so welcome during the interview as she did not seem to mind any of my questions.

She has completed her high school and doing correspondence course in Bachelor of Arts. But she does not speak hindi or english, so Mrs. Gomathy who is the production in-charge translated for us. Hers is a joint family and so her children are taken care of by her mother-in-law. They are going to a private schools. They have a Television and a mobile; daily speak to her husband for more than 3 times in a day. I was curious to know if they know of any knowledge of the Govt. scheme and said she did not get Govt’s support during her labour (maternity) as her husband is working in the Govt. sector and has more earnings. Govt. provides a financial support of Rs. 10,000 for the first two deliveries.

Before she joined Aaharam weavers in the quality checking department two months back, she was a housewife. Mrs. Gomathy said – “She was given only a week’s training on quality checking because she picked up easily”. Her monthly salary is INR 2000 but she is happy and her heart is at rest- translated Mrs. Gomathy. Sudha has knowledge of the organizations buying Aaharam produce but nothing about fair trade principles. The working hours at Aaharam unit is from 9am-5pm with two tea breaks in a day and lunch break for an hour. She is from Genguvarpatti village which is 1km from her work place and comes to work by walk. Even though there is no benefits from the unit, they can avail medical benefits for minor ailments from the RTU hospital by paying Rs. 2 for medicine plus check up.

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade coordinator

Production process at Aaharam Spinning Mill

2011-09-26T14:50:00.003+05:30

Raw organic cotton

Waste cotton

Carding machine

1) The raw cotton are collected in loads of 150 kg each from the village to the spinning mill. After the raw cottons are cleaned and de-seeded, they are put into a stretcher machine for carding. The yarns are made into a bundle/bale wrapped by a cotton thread because it is easy to handle the yarn and for economical storage. There is always a 10 kg of waste after cleaning the raw cotton. The wastes are used as wick for oil lamp and pillows.

Made into bale/bundle

Yarn carded and smoothen

Drawing machine

2)After carding, it is put into the drawing machine where the yarns are made smoother and kept in a big tin. The second process into the drawing machine makes the yarn smoother and remove the particles and dry out the moisture.

Spinning machine

Ring Frame machine

Spinning Machine hall

3) The yarns are then forwarded to an another area/room where the spinning machines are kept. There are 25 women working in the spinning unit. But they were not working on that day. These machines convert the yarns into bobbin on a large scale and then it is put into an
other machine that is known as Ring frame to make these bobbin into thin strand. Mr. Parthasarathy, who is the incharge, explained to us all the steps involved.

Final product of 20 counts

4) The final produce of 20 counts of yarn. These machines operates for only 8 hours in a day.

Aaharam-One of IM suppliers in Theni district, Tamil Nadu

2011-09-22T16:36:00.002+05:30

Aaharam weavers are producer owned company under CCD (Covenant Centre for Development). Of the different divisions under CCD, Aaharam is a supply chain network management; where suppliers of raw cotton to the finished product is involved.

CCD is an NGO working in many areas of development activities in the rural sector. It has primarily worked with the following sections of rural society for the livelihood intervention initiatives:

1. Rural women

2. Traditional Health Practitioners

3. Medicinal Plants Based Communities (collectors and cultivators)

4. Agricultural communities

5. Coastal Communities

CCD is also providing support in marketing of their goods and capacity building of the rural communities in converting the resources – human and natural- for a sustainable livelihood and that does not compromise with the environmental aspect of its functioning.

The inception of Aaharam weaving:-

- In the year 2009, as a result of policy change in the NGO sector, RTU had to close down its business unit. They took some time in making the artisans understand the situation whilst keeping them employed for another few months and giving them ample time to find another job in the city.
y. There are many who left to find jobs in mills in the city…and few are employed by RTU in the tailoring section for stitching school uniforms and other necessities for the children studying and living in RTU villages. The school uniforms and other necessities are provided for free by RTU.

It was the same year when we – Father Paul Swamy of RTU, Jacky from MESH, Mr. Wangchuk Gyalpo and myself (SOIR-IM) had a meeting with batik artisans and the Mohan raj who is the manager of the RTU Industry with the main aim to find solutions to the issues at hand. Jacky was interested in the batik section as the artisans are suffering from polio and physically challenged. We asked them about their wish to start a SHG and seek help from RTU’s office in receiving and completion of the orders. But the artisans, who have been working permanently for the past many years under RTU, did not want to take risk by starting on their own and taking all the responsibility. Going on their own would mean, perhaps, no continuous work, more responsibility and no provident fund and no other benefits.

- “About 60% weavers left to work in mills, hotels, agriculture and the remaining are still working in the weaving section. The artisans in the batik section has left to work in the mill too. One artisan from the batik section is still working in the Aaharam’s packaging department. There is a huge work demand in Madurai- which is around 50km from RTU”-said Mohanraj.

- That is how Aaharam came into existent. However, we were not called during their meeting regarding the takeover.

About the organization:-

- Aaharam is a registered company but its present office is situated in RTU’s campus on a rent basis. Mohan raj is the manager and Murshida is also working as an assistant manager. There are about 40 artisans including weavers and bobbin winder. Only 3 artisans are working in the tailoring section and 5 people in the packaging department.

- The artisans are paid on piece rate and it is from 122-180 per day. They are provided tea two times a day but with no other benefits. Mohan raj mentioned that the orders have gone down by 50% in case of IM orders. If the sales increases, they will think about all the other benefits for the artisans from next year. At present, the buyers are from Japan fair trade company, IM Sweden, SIPA in Chennai, Upasna in Pondicherry and Sunbird in Delhi. They make table cloth, kitchen towel, Baby towel in both organic and non-organic cotton.

- As they are dealing with cotton, there is no tax liablity; however they do file monthly return. The cottons are dyed in Karur and they do cabinet dyeing.

- They do not have a website but Mohanraj said it will be created in few months. The communication with buyer is through e-mail and phone. With IM orders, swedish designer Karin Kock visits them to develop new designs and finalize the samples.

- Training is provided to artisans for artisans in the quality checking.

Design Intervention at Dekyiling

2011-08-02T16:01:00.002+05:30

Designer Sadhu and master tailor Jigme working on the sample

I spent the whole last week with Dekyiling artisans and Sadhu (Designer). We worked on scarves, rug, bed covers, table mat samples with KKM and some bags with Tibetan Women Centre. Besides, the initial plan was to use KKM fabric and engage Dekyiling artisans. However, the fabric did not come out as nice as we had planned....even though we are using it now in cushions, bags, aprons, pot holder and for lining. I never thought design was going to be an easy intervention but I am glad dekyiling artisans are so good at what they do. ....making me believe we will come out with something productive.
Last week, we made six bags with different colors and patterns. We tried using some fabrics from the market so as to cut down the cost......cost being the most common issue with our producer groups. Working only on Dekyiling fabric will end up producing costly bags which was not intended. If we were not able to export these products, the best option would be to reach the domestic market.
The fabrics we used are cotton, felt, printed cotton etc ...matched with dekyiling fabrics to make a range of bags. We tried making best use of the KKM fabric by converting them into kitchen items.

Artisans working on bags

The Dekyiling artisans are so efficient and positive. There was discussion and suggestion from both ends which helped a lot during the sample development. Most of all, it is such a peaceful atmosphere! All of them have so much of positive energy and made my week the most memorable one. I also spent some time on the stitching machine and came out with a water bottle holder :-). The artisans look up to the master tailor Jigme for ideas and guidance and the latter did her best! We have plans to visit them next week.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

My visit to Dharamsala last week

2011-07-25T10:05:00.001+05:30

Mr. Yadav (Program Coordinator) from FTF-I had to visit Dharamsala to do an audit for a new fair trade member. And he wanted to meet with the groups especially the paper unit as he wishes to know more about them and their products in order to link them with another fair trade organization i.e. Literacy India based in Gurgaon (Haryana State).

Tsering Phuntsok, the Manager, showed us around - explaining all about the paper making process, artisans, products and the business opportunities and threats.

FTF-I pro-sustain project helps with business planning of its members. We discussed on availing the service after consulting with each producer organization. If they are interested in reviewing and analyzing their business, we will approach FTF-I.

From next year, we do not know where the funds for fair trade project will come from. So, I have asked FTF-I if they can help us with availing Govt. funds.Because we are based in the northern part of India, FTF-I can forward the application on our behalf.

Everything went well and I hope the network with other fair trade organization will improve and strengthen in the future....fetch many more orders.

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade Coordinator

Assessment of Paper factory unit in Dharamsala by Mr. Pankaj and his wife.

2011-06-28T13:13:00.006+05:30

During the workshop, I met with Mr. Pankaj who did the living wage calculation of the artisans of our producer organization.
He is one person who is always keeping me informed of the things happening around and which would help us grow...either in capacity building, availing resources, business growth.
I discussed about the recent workshop by Mr. Vip Kumar on business planning and told him how I would like for the producer organizations to look again into their business strategy and if possible make some changes. The workshop by Mr Vip Kumar was quite a revelation and it pushed me to think about the sustainability of all our producer organization.
Pankaj ji knows all the organizations very well and is always ready to help us to grow. When I told him that I need to do something with the groups and that my funds are restricted. Without a second thought, he agreed to provide service for free. His wife is a chartered accountant belonging to the corporate world....said she will look into their business strategy.
The group that we will assess is the paper factory unit in Dharamsala. I spoke with Tsering Phuntsok, the Manager who gladly agreed to invite them.
Thank you so much, Pankaj ji for all your help and guidance.
It means a lot!

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Meeting with MESH's Marketing manager

2011-06-28T11:32:00.004+05:30

Nazneen is the newest staff in MESH having background in the field of marketing. She is finding opportunities to sell MESH products through the internet and personal contact. Besides MESH having 2 shops: one in Delhi and one in Hyderabad, Nazneen is looking for avenues to exhibit their produce in the domestic zone.

- We discussed about possibilities to find market for our products.

- We discussed about keeping some products with our groups in Dharamsala but the groups have not taken any decision on this.

- We also discussed about exhibitions in Dharamsala in August which seems little bit hard as it is monsoon time and it may not be suitable to organize at the parking lot of Paper unit.

- Talked about Kalachakra during Dec-Jan 2012 where there will be so many Tibetans and foreigners but have not gone far in our discussion because I may have to re-look at my budget :-).

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Note: I do not have any picture of hers.

Meeting with Kunzang from PAGIR in Ladakh

2011-06-28T11:14:00.004+05:30

Kunzang Dolma is the Secretary for PAGIR (People’s Action Group for Inclusion and Rights) based in Leh-Ladakh.

PAGIR is a rights movement working to create a society that is inclusive and free of prejudice through mobilizing people, campaigning on rights issues and accessing legal aid.It was started in the year 2007 led by differently able people and their family members.

One of the MESH board members who visited Ladakh recommended this group to Jacky, who is the Executive Secy of MESH. Shyam, MESH Designer, traveled to meet with these groups and help them with design and quality.

MESH is presently working with the tailors developing their skills in achieving the quality, color combination, designs. There is one female tailor from PAGIR working on new designs. I did not believe that she could not hear me because she responded to my queries. Later I was told and realized she was lip-reading. And a good one at that! Ashok having design qualification is from Bethany Leprosy colony and working with MESH for a year as an intern. He is working with Kunzang and the artisan on product designs, pattern and quality checking.

With Jacky and Ravi, Kunzang is learning about costing, specification and how to use tally in their organization. Ashok is helping her to know about patterns and how to check the quality. With his help, kunzang wants to create something so that everyone can check the quality of the products. I thought it was a good idea because all the artisans will be more conscious and careful about what they are producing. Earlier their products lack quality, precision, color combination. MESH has helped them develop new products such as bags and card purse.

Besides production, PAGIR is also involved in tourism. Kunzang met with Malikarjuna of Fair Trade Forum-India who have shown an interest in tourism. She also attended the workshop on sustainable consumption and social responsibility organized by FTF-I on June 23rd.

Kunsang has expressed her interest in meeting with the Dharamsala groups to know more about their paper recycling methods. I promised to refer them to Tsering Phuntsok, Manager of Paper Factory who I am sure will definitely help them. Jacky feels that it will be helpful for the groups to see the paper factory unit and added “It is a model” in our community (Tibetan).

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade Coordinator

Meeting with GMR trainees in MESH Design Studio:

2011-06-28T11:00:00.002+05:30

The newly constructed airport by GMR Group in Delhi left many slum dwellers relocate from their present station to a permanent dwelling place in the capital. However, the GMR Group is trying to help the people of these slums in education, health, empowerment through skill training etc.

During our recent visit to MESH Design studio, there are two young boys age 18 and 19; both brothers from the slum learning screen printing. The GMR Group approached MESH Design Studio with regard to training for these young boys and the latter decided to provide one for free for the first time. MESH do not encourage children below 18 to work. They both cannot hear and talk and have studied upto primary level. They do not know any sign language which made it difficult for us to communicate with them for long. A volunteer of GMR helps MESH designer and the boys to communicate with each other and whose services is taken care of by GMR.

We had a brief conversation with the boys in order to know their views on their new venture. They are eight in their family out of which three are facing the same challenge. One of their siblings is working abroad. Three younger siblings are going to school.One of them plays cricket but both of them did not know anything about screen printing. They were sent to MESH Design studio for three weeks to learn the art of screen printing. They love working on the screen printing- learning how to mix the pigments, how to get the desired/required color, how to iron the clothes and how to hold the screen and do the screen printing.

Till now they were taught and have worked on stencil and enamel screen printing. Now they will be trained in photographic screen printing.

GMR Group is one of the fastest growing infrastructure organisations in the country with interests in Airports, Energy, Highways and Urban Infrastructure (including SEZ). Employing the Public Private Partnership model, the Group has successfully implemented several infrastructure projects in India.[1]

Note: I looked up in the internet to find an appropriate word to address those who can not hear and speak. There are many words to address them…deaf and dumb, deaf and mute and hearing impaired but one or the way, it is considered a derogatory remark. The best is to ask the people how they want to be addressed. I have not used any term for them as I was not able to communicate for them for too long.

[1] Information from the internet

Visit to Delhi from June 21st-23rd

2011-06-07T16:25:00.003+05:30

I am relaxed that I have already booked my train tickets to Delhi last month for this trip. There seems to be so many people traveling at this time of the year in India and besides the college admission procedure has started. Most of the trains are fully packed. But I don't have to worry at all!
I will visit MESH Design studio and meet with the artisans working there. Will also get to meet Nazneen( the new personnel for MESH working for the domestic market).
On 23rd, FTF-I (the national network for fair trade) will have workshop on alliance building for its members in Delhi. This time, I am traveling with Tsering Lhundup (Production manager of Tibetan Women Centre at Rajpur) with the hope that he will get to meet with other fair trade organizations and learn about how they work with fulfilling the principles of fair trade.
For me, meeting new people broadens my perspective and helps me improving my work performance.Of the life's many tricks to show us the right path; it is the people I have met during these 4 years who have helped me do things in a better and effective way. I am happy and contented if my intervention benefits an individual if not the whole group. I have become more grounded to the realities and work with the opportunities and risks with an aplomb.
Thanks to all the people who have made a difference in my life.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Fair Trade workshop for management of producer organization

2011-06-03T17:19:00.005+05:30

The workshop was for mainly for the management of producer organization and I could not have found a better person than Mr. Vip Kumar, Associate WFTO and a resource person for the national network of fair trade in India (Fair Trade Forum-India. He worked for big corporates and has lots of experience in business planning/operation management. The topics for the workshop included:
- Information on WFTO/FTF-I
- Challenges and opportunities in fair trade
- Domestic marketing
-SFTMS
- Fair Trade brand in India

He has lots of information about WFTO and the fair trade in India. He shared information about new developments and challenges at the global level as well as future plans of the national fair trade network in India.
- The information on the difference between WFTO and FLO was explained using pictures on powerpoint presentation.
- He explained to us about the fair trade brand in India and showed us the logo which is yet to be finalized.
- The session on business planning was the most interactive and was found to be more relevant by the producer organizations. The resource person came out with different abbreviations and words during the workshop and emphasis on the importance of these key word in building a business and a good relation with our customers and consumers.
a) AAA: Affordability, Availability and Acceptability.
b) PDD: Product, Design and Development
c) SKU: Stock Keeping units
d) Bespoke Tailor
e) Digging or Building
f) Difference between Costing and Pricing
Each organizations were asked to do our own business planning which helped us know our fixed costs and income. Besides, it broaden our perspective towards our business.
At the end, the resource person gave us some valuable insights on doing a business and understanding our functioning. He said fair and trade complements each other and that it's rare to find people doing both. It is necessary to know how well we are functioning financially in our business in order to cater to the needs of the artisans and the community.
We learned one thing: We all need to revive ourselves and understand whether we are building or digging.

P.S. Will upload the pictures later on.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Formation of a new bond!

2011-05-02T13:46:00.003+05:30

Mr. Pankaj who came as a resource person for us also works for a fair trade organization called Tara project in Delhi. It is also one of our suppliers. Last year, he has visited two of our Producer groups in Dharamsala but could not visit the Tara Tibet beads.
The day at Tara Tibet beads began with the introduction to the work place, the artisans and finally the BEADS! He fell for them undoubtedly - the designs, quality and most of all actually seeing the whole process. He talked to TARA in Delhi and shared information about the beads and the organization as a whole- the attitude of the artisans, the working condition and the warmth. I also spoke with Mrs. Moon Sharma- President of Tara project.
They decided to buy some samples and later contact them for order, if any comes by. A new bond was formed between Tara project in Delhi and Tara Tibet beads in Dharamsala... ......with hopes held high and a sense of triumph, I left Dharamsala.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

An idea was born!

2011-05-02T13:26:00.003+05:30

Visiting Dharamsala and talking with the artisans helped me to know about their savings, expense and attitude towards their life and work.
It was one to one interview with the artisans and gave me lots of knowledge on how they live their life and feel about their organization. Going through all the information that was provided to us, I felt that it will be a good idea to share information on SHG and its concept.
We have plans to conduct a follow up workshop on fair trade principles in June by Mrs. Alka and simultaneously will talk on SHG. Even if they do not take it forward, they will atleast have an idea about the concept of SHG. I spoke with Lungta Manager about this sometime ago and I went to meet her to discuss on the workshop planned in June and exhibition planned in Sept. She told me that majority of the artisans are willing to save some money. There are some who did not take interest. But as of now they do not know anything about how SHG works, the challenges, success story of others, benefits of SHG formation. So, they may not have understood it.
The workshop will intend to give them more information about SHG and see if the artisans are willing to form one.
More about this in the coming months.....to be specific after the workshop in June. Happy Reading to all!

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Visiting Dharamsala groups this week

2011-04-25T11:20:00.001+05:30

Visiting the groups in Dharamsala this week with Mr. Pankaj ji who is a resource person for calculating the living wage.
The first main objective is to study how much they are paid and whether their income is meeting their basic needs in life. Besides, it's also a helpful tool to know for the producer organization about their artisans' thoughts on wage and work.
We as a buyer do not have influence on the payment of wages for the artisans because each organization work on their own sets of principles and regulations. On a yearly basis, there is an increase in wage for the artisans based upon their organization's capacity. We act as a facilitator to the producer organization.
The basic needs include the following: Minimum calories for a family( 2 adults + 2 children), clothing, health facilities, education for kids, social/entertainment cost, house-owned/rented, savings for future, medical insurance, life insurance and their life quality.
The methods used are: interview using a questionnaire and the benchmarks them against the parameters of living wage (basic needs).

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

A different approach helps!

2011-04-20T09:18:00.002+05:30

It's never too late to learn new things and try a different approach in the way one's work. Earlier I used to monitor the activities by asking for feedback only; I tried a different approach by making use of a format which helps me keep track of the activities planned and conducted. Besides, the budget too. I used a different format for Partner organizations such as MESH.
I am not perfect....but aiming for something realistic. I am learning each day as it unfolds. And it's quite worth it!

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Exhibition pics

2011-04-19T08:56:00.003+05:30

The sales of the exhibition for Tibetan Women Centre was Rs. 8960 for two days. The response for the first day was quite positive as there were many students visiting the stall and buying the products. TWC was able to clear some of their stock with the price range of 50-100 rupees. Students love the pencase and mobile which cost only 50 rupees- useful and necessary item.

Besides, it's also very interesting to see other NGOs working in different areas of development and supporting their cause. This year, there were more number of organization who participated in the exhibition. I am waiting for the feedback from TWC in order to know their thoughts and views-both positive and negative which will help us in planning in the future.

Tsering Youdon
SOIR-IM Fair Trade Coordinator

Planning, Planning and more planning

2011-04-11T09:54:00.002+05:30

The first 3 quarters went by so fast...and I am happy I have achieved the goals I had set in the beginning of the year. Yipee! Could not have asked for better beginning! We talk a lot about setting a realistic goals...objective in our project planning....which kinda squeeze us a lot. I use to wonder what if....but Thanks to all the people involved in helping me achieve the plans.
After the exhibition, I plan to organize one more workshop for the management of the producer groups in May. I have spoken to Vip Kumar, Associate Member of WFTO and consultant FTF-I who will be a resource person for us.
I plan to put on some light on WFTO and their work, SFTMS, Supply chain, Corporate Social responsibility, domestic marketing and others. Let us see how things work out. I contacted Prof. Neelu Bhullar and Ashok Kapoor who have immense experience and knowledge in the field of business management and marketing. But they are very busy all the time and difficult to reach them.
There is also a plan to calculate living wage of Tara beads which we could not do last year by Mr. Pankaj Mehndiratta.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Exhibitions to be held in Dehradun from April 14-15th,2011

2011-04-11T09:31:00.003+05:30

The exhibition is organized by an NGO (Mahila Kalyan Udyog Kendra) based in Dehradun. Their main objective is to help women who have no means of livelihood - through training in stitching, Knitting, tailoring and education. They organize various fund-raising functions and exhibition under the banner of KAR KAMAL.
This exhibitions also intends to showcase products made by NGOs, micro-business that largely employ women and the differently able people and by other women entrepreneurs both within and out of Uttarakhand.
We participated in the exhibition last year. And the response was quite good. Most of them were students and were looking for products within a price range of 50-100 which Tibetan Women Centre had quite a variety to display and offer. One of our groups KKM is entitled for a stall every year without having to pay anything. Dekyiling Tibetan Women Centre does not have anything within the price range and so was taken into consideration.
We have to book a stall for INR 5000 for two days. I am all game for it!

Food and Agri Workshop by FTF-I

2011-03-28T09:55:00.003+05:30

The workshop was for 2 days from 24 and 25th of March 2011 on Food and Agri produce. There were more than 15 organizations participating in this workshop from all over the Country. But there are many from Uttarakhand Region who are involved in food and agri producers and many a organization who have achieved a lot in their own field.

Even though we do not export any food and agri products, FTF-I invited us in the workshop as we are one of their local members. They wanted us to help them with the hotel booking and managing other work during the workshop.Besides, IM fair trade shops in Sweden was looking for some food producers.

This was my first time in the food and agri workshop and I have not met with majority of the producer groups. Even the ones from Dehradun.So, it was interesting to meet and interact with some local food producers and SHG groups who are doing so well in their field and have made their mark immensely. One of them being UMANG who shared their story and inspired us all.

From our office, one of our senior staff Miss Dhondup Dolma attended the workshop and project officer Kalsang Thupten and I assisted FTF-I.

The surprise package was the declaration of Mr. Ajay Sharma, to conduct a free nutritional analysis for UMANG products and certify them accordingly. MR. Ajay is currently working as the Senior Manager Marketing for Food Research & Analysis Centre (FRAC) under the allied organizations of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). FICCI is a non-government unit but works closely with the Government.

Attending FTF-I workshop always provide me with lots of new information that helps me carry out my work for better and the achievements of each groups/organizations inspires me to stay grounded and humane. I always feel energized after attending FTF-I workshops because I end up making new friends from whom I have lots to learn from.It's not very frequent for me to know about Indian Govt. schemes on food and agri and many more information. Such gatherings and workshop helps me keep informed and updated.

Thank you FTF-I for always inviting me to your workshops.

Tsering Youdon

Fair Trade Forum-India

Fair Trade Exhibition in Dharamsala from March 14-16th, 2011

2011-03-22T16:40:00.005+05:30

Purpose of Exhibition: The purpose was to create awareness about fair trade and understand the domestic market and customer’s attitude towards handicrafts made by IM producer groups.

Participants:

1) IMEX, Rajpur
2) Clean Upper Dharamsala Paper Project
3) Lungta Products, Gu-Chu-Sum, Dharamsala
4) Tibetan Women Centre, Rajpur
5) Dekyiling Tibetan Handicraft Centre, Dekyiling
6) Tara Tibet beads, Dharamsala

Venue: Parking Lot of CUDP near the Main Temple

Products:

Tibetan Traditional Dress Chupa, Shirt, Dress, bags, Jewellery Bags, T-Shirts, All Recycle paper products, Carpets, File Folder, Wall Hanging, bags, purse, Incense, Beads.

Brief Report of the Exhibition:

Every year during the Tibetan New Year, His Holiness conducts teachings where several thousand people from all over the world visit Dharamsala to receive it. The Exhibition was actually planned for six days but the producer organizations thought it best to have it for only 3 days because the teaching was held only for a day and half.

It was enthralling to see people coming to the exhibitions and asking for interviews. Foreigners taking pictures is a common sight in Dharamsala which might help us in spreading awareness about fair trade and creating a niche in the domestic market.

There were people especially foreigners who frequent Dharamsala but do not have any information about these producer organizations. So, this exhibition proved helpful for the producer organizations to speak about their organizations and their production unit.

Since this being the first exhibition ever organized by SOIR-IM under the fair trade project, we learned that it would have helped customers to understand more about each organization’s craft through picture display. Some customer were keen to know how the products were made and feel quite amused after learning that these are done by the artisans especially the beads and Tibetan Apron.

The Total Turnover of all the Organizations for 3 days reached approx. 150,000 INR which was quite encouraging for a beginner.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator
SOIR-IM

Workshop for artisans of Tibetan Women Centre and Dekyiling artisans on fair trade principles

2011-03-22T16:11:00.002+05:30

Workshop for artisans of Tibetan Women Centre and Dekyiling Handicraft Centre on fair trade concepts and its principles by Mrs. Alka for one day each in the month February 2011.

The producer groups do not have enough resources to increase the capacity of their artisans. Only one artisan out of the 16 has participated in a workshop. Besides, we did not expect the artisans to grasp all the information in a day as they have never been to such a workshop before. We organize the workshop in SOIR-IM premise with the hope that they will enjoy the greenery surrounding and may be able to take back lots of information from the resource person.

The resource person touched upon some of the principles of fair trade such as the working conditions, transparency and accountability, quality, fair wage, capacity building etc through activity and games which made it easier for the artisans to understand.

No one in the room had heard about fair trade and how their organizations work in fulfilling the standards. The game helped them understand more about the concepts of fair trade and difference between trade and fair trade.

The participants are young and expressive which helped the resource person in spreading awareness about fair trade. The participants also understands Hindi language quite well.

It was a productive day. I hope to conduct follow-up workshop in the coming months for the artisans.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Workshop on Self Development by Brahmkumaris

2011-03-22T16:02:00.003+05:30

Purpose of the workshop:
The purpose of the workshop was to acknowledge staff and management of producer organizations about management issues. Even though it wasn’t specifically on fair trade standards or the concept; I thought this workshop would provide us with information on how to take up challenge in our daily work which would consequently help us in achieving our goal.

Facts about Life:
1) People have the habit of blaming others for any situation
2) People have the tendency to pull others’ leg.
3) People do not appreciate others’ value
4) People have the habit to exaggerate situation
5) The understanding level between human being is going down.
6) The attitude that “I am always right”.

Stress:
The meaning of “STRESS” which means “The Pressure of Situation”. The resource person enlightened the participants on the meaning of stress through giving examples, video clippings and life examples. As we meet different people at work and while at work, we are faced with new demands of the organization, challenges, the stress meter is bound to increase.

How do we meet with Stress?
It is first the information which acts as the seed as a result of which thoughts arise (both positive and negative; necessary and ordinary). The thought give rise to feeling which forms into attitude and thus turns into behavior of that person.

So, the point is one should always be mindful about the information one is getting/receiving and transmitting.

The resource person also suggested not to read newspaper in the morning and spend 10 minutes alone in the morning and evening.

Relationship with SELF, GOD AND NATURE

All the participants were asked to appreciate one or two values of the person sitting behind. 4 groups were formed consisting of 5 person each and were given a situation to enact. It was a group role where we had to understand and cooperate with each other.

The resource person also touched upon the Environmental part in relation to our relationship with nature. Human beings do not seem to know their relation with the nature. This was explained through pictures on Global warming such as building having turned into sand, a person wearing mask and carrying oxygen in Kolkata due to pollution and other horrific pictures. It’s because of the incessant demands of human which has an enormously negative impact on nature.

At the end of the day, it’s one’s own attitude towards life and others. However, the situation is, one should always remain calm and try as much as possible not to get affected by our surrounding.

This New Year!

2011-01-31T13:49:00.000+05:30

This New Year has brought in lots of news that had me looking for some realistic solutions. I admit it isn't that easy to even take the first step which is making myself do it.
When someone who means a lot to you, who has sacrificed a lot and for whom there will be no replacement in life suddenly bids you fare well forever - it gives me a jerk. Not knowing whether this person really left forever.
It would be a lie if I say "I am thinking about my Father a lot". Because since my college days, we didn't get to spend much time as he was the bread earner in the family and away most of the time. He had to look after all of us.But now that he can not be present in sharing any of my achievements, I wish he's there to know and hear. He would be so happy just by being there.
His silent departure from our world made me think a lot about my role as a human being on this Earth. The sole reason of my presence and being in each person's life- realizing we are all entangled together.
I push myself to take time and understand that from many life's mien, one of the most pivotal thing is also to count your contributions towards other people's happiness and to think about how you wish yourself to depart from this world. Contributing towards others' happiness will also make you happy and contented.
Make an effort to enrich yourself with good thoughts and patience. It isn't easy but it is worth a try. My Father is known to many people as a good human being. And I am proud he's my father in this lifetime. Every time I think of him, I pray that he be reborn as a human being and May I get the chance to repay back everything he did for me.
Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Workshop for Dharamsala producer groups

2010-11-25T09:18:00.005+05:30

No. of participants: 47 artisans (20 from Lungta tailoring group, 17 from Tara beads and 10 from CUDP Recycle paper unit)

Purpose of the workshop:
- To create awareness amongst the artisans about fair trade and the ten principles of fair trade. -
-Relation of IM and their organization.
- How their organizations are working with each principles of fair trade.

Supported by:
- Resource person Mrs Alka from Delhi trained by national network of fair trade organization- Fair Trade Forum-India
- IM fair trade coordinator Mrs. Tsering Youdon with the help of Mr. Kalsang Thupten (IM project officer)
- Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, Manager of CUDP Recycle paper unit who also helped in organizing the workshop.

Materials used:
- Fair Trade Principles translated in Tibetan Language
- Charts from Fair Trade Forum-India
- Ten principles of fair trade translated in tibetan Langauge
- White board

Venue: Clean Uppper Dharamsala Project (Environment Section)

Session 1:
CUDP Recycle paper unit
The first session began with an introduction of each participants.This is the first ever kind of workshop for them.So, most of them were reluctant to come out and speak infront of all. But the session helped them to know some more things about each other.

Session 2:
Trade and Fair Trade:
The resource person asked them about the traits of the market.They shared the following:
1) Some said the attitude of the seller hurts them a lot.
2) When they go to buy something, the shopkeeper do not let them touch any products or do not let them see the products.
3) Since they do not speak the local language i.e. Hindi, they charge more price.
4) One recounted one of his experience while buying a radio, he asked the seller to sell it a lesser price and the seller said if you want to buy cheap products, go to China. He said he will forget the remark in his life.
5) The resource person also told them about duplicate products.

We also told them that when we sell the products, we share information about the people behind the product through our website or fliers or exhibitions etc. They do not know that IM has nine shops in Sweden. They have never thought about their role in the Supply Chain and how important their role is. We told them that customer is the most important person.

Session 3:
Paying fair wages: The resource person played a game where the artisans had to get their monthly salary.
Lungta artisans
What they did was to collect the salary without signing the salary record or counting their salary.We explained to them that there are lots of cases where the artisans are not paid according to the time or absence of salary record. But in their organizations, they have a salary record where they sign it. We found that they can sign their names.

Session 4:

Lungta artisans
Transparency and Sample Development:The participants were divided into 2 groups each and one of them had to see the sample picture and intruct the other to draw it. When they came up with the sample, only few could come up with the exact picture.
After finding out reasons, each came up with the following:
1) The instructions were not clear.
2) Paying not proper attention
3) Not having the sample picture with them

Session 5:
Working Conditions:The working condition of an organization was explained through picture analysis. If we just say working conditions, it's difficult to make them understand. Each participants were given a picture for analysing and they were also asked about whether their organizations works in providing better working conditions for example sanitation, ventilation, space for movement, safety equipment etc.

Session 6:
Supply chain:We explained them about the role of each person in the supply chain. Each were handed a paper with their role as trader, producer, artisans, IMO, exporter, Retailer and customer.We also explained about the product goes from the paper unit to the IM fair trade shops.
Lungta artisans

At the end, they were asked about the learning from the workshop:
1) Supply Chain
2) 10 principles
3) Environment
4) Cooperation
5) Meaning of fair trade
6) What is IM and IMEX?
7) Chance to participate
8) Importance of customer
9) Stakeholders
10)Health
11) Transparency
12) Interaction
13) Fair wage
14) Creating opportunities

Tsering Youdon
IM Fair Trade Coordinator

EMA-one of IM potential Supplier for leather goods

2010-11-24T14:13:00.005+05:30

EMA came into existence in the year 1977-started by a group of students who wanted to help artisans sell their produce.Thus form the artisans into cooperatives and helped them in marketing of their goods.
They have a general body members consist of artisans and well-wishers. The Manager of EMA told us that over the year, Europe had lots of requirements with regard to dyes and environmental issues which as a
result became difficult to work with the cooperatives. Hence EMA started its own production unit apart from marketing.
Leather workshop

Crafts practiced: Textile printing,leather made-ups, candle and musical instrument.

Source of raw material: The leather material is bought from Tannaries situated in Kolkata. These tanneries mostly import and also buy from registered slaughter house.

Type of leather bought by EMA: 1) Shanti Leather 2) Finished Leather
Shanti Leather Finished leather

Information about Tannery: The Govt. of Kolkata has ordered them to place the tannery factory very far from the city. The effluents are well treated as per the Govt. rules and regulations.

Pigments used: They buy Clariant Pigments which is azo free dyed. There are more than 100 people in their organization working in all the unit.They work in a workshop. There are also people working from home.

They export to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, UK, Denmark,Australia and New Zealand.

EMA made some samples for IM last year but there are no orders yet.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

“People make an Organization”

2010-11-24T11:00:00.003+05:30

I do get inspired by a story or an individual but not often end up utterly speechless. Only Nature does that to me- many a times. Ever since I joined IM-SOIR as one of its staff, exploring myself and my work through meeting people, unraveling new stories, getting new ideas/ways of doing my work has been one of the “IT” thing. The journey hasn’t been a smooth one; nevertheless it helped me grow as a person.There were lots of stuff that had me looking for resolutions and consequently overwhelmed me. There were many a times I have been discouraged by many factors in the course of carrying out my duty. I was taught to be patient but later realized I was only sulking. Doesn’t happen anymore though!

It did take some time for me to understand that Life is all about choosing an option. Even if that may not be easy or the optimum. The word “Fact” has many facets and each one has their own definition of “Fact” according to their own principles and perspective in life. One thing that never cease to amaze me is the Human behavioral pattern! I like to be inquisitive of the things around me. But it’s more about the mind and content of the subject that intrigue and at times baffles me.

I have met many good people during my 30 years of journey. It was when I met Mr. Dawa Tsering and actually spent some time with him that I realized his strong will to empower Tibetan society and especially those who are unemployed. I do not hold him in awe as a politician. But his conscientiousness behind the production of these beautiful and shining beads is something to marvel at. He knows that it’s people who make an Organization a success or a failure because he takes time to understand how well they are treated. And he is one of the reasons and inspirations for putting my thoughts into words.

As a Pioneer:
Mr Dawa pioneered an organization called Tibetan Unemployed Association for the unemployed youths from Tibet settled in Dharamsala. The main objective was and still is to form it as a wing for those unemployed to access job opportunities in Dharamsala.

Tara Beads was founded in the year 2005 by Mr. Dawa Tsering with the help from a Danish Couple. In the beginning, about 30-40 unemployed from the Tibetan Unemployed Association were trained for the bead making but only 12 were selected based ultimately on their skill and performance. However, the trading part of the bead production gradually happened- which now is running smoothly with majority of its export to the Danish Couple.
Mrs. Jampa Chodon (Mr. Dawa’s spouse) is currently the Manager of the unit. Under her, there are 16 artisans including 2 men and 14 women at present. Mr Dawa remains the Founder Director of Tara beads.

As an entrepreneur
I gathered after meeting with Mr. Dawa that he treats his artisans as a part of his family-taking care of them, listens and give importance to their suggestions, gives them chance to develop themselves through working on new designs, share information about savings and investments, share the profits of the organization, provides training with stipend, pays bonus, conduct language classes for the artisans, allows them to make decision for the Organization etc. I don’t know many entreprenuers but I don’t think
any one will match up to his level of understanding about his work and responsibility toward his artisans the way he does.

From my life’s experience, I have concluded one thing: Experience and age does not always make people wiser; it’s their perspective toward life and their upbringing that makes them a better person for giving other people an opportunity to grow and making this world a better place for others.

I just received one message from Yangzom (one of my colleagues) that makes for an apt conclusion: “A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats its least fortunate amongst them”.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Visit to Solid Waste management Project area in South India

2010-10-08T15:57:00.007+05:30

In September, we also visited some settlment in South of India working on solid waste management project under Department of Home, Tibetan Govt. in Exile, which is one of the partner organizations of IM. Out of 5 southern setltlement, we visited 4 settlements namely Mundgod, Dekyi Larsoe, Lungsung (Both in Bylakuppe) and Hunsur.

The purpose of the field visit to these settlements was to learn something about IM's other projects apart from the fair trade field.

My hometown is in Mundgod and it does make me feel proud to see my settlement more cleaner than it was before. People are more aware of taking care of their waste and trying not to make use of plastic bag. I saw my younger sister writing to one of her friends -telling her about the positive impact of THIS PROJECT in our settlement. I had a very good feeling after reading that letter.
Our World may not be perfect but the small contribution from the people and organizations makes a difference to others' life. And it's a great achievement in itself.

Solid Waste Management, Mundgod

There are nine camps, 2 big monasteries, few small monasteries, 1 home for elderly, 3 hostels in Mundgod settlement.

-Presentation of Sign board by Tenzin Dickyi(Project Officer of DoHome) on paper and through power point presentation.
-Shared information on various effects on health from the waste with the help of power point
presentation.
-Mundgod Settlement has received an appreciation letter from DC (Deputy Commissioner), karwar.
-There has been an active participation from the community. People raise questions about the solid waste in meetings and gatherings.
-The Project officer in Mundgod also conducts workshops for shopkeepers and drivers.
-They first introduced a carry bag in one general store which later became quite popular amongst other vendors.
-The solid waste collected in 3 camps in one day weighs 400-450 kg per truck. They collect 2 trucks of waste per day.
-All the wet waste of household are either used as manure in the field or food for the livestock.
-The Project Officer suggested that networking between settlement to exchange ideas will prove to be helpful in tackling the issues of solid waste dumping.
-There has been a ban on plastic with the help from camp leader, who will monitor in their camps.
-3 month cleanliness check up is done in all the camps and there is a prize for the winners which is distributed during Tibetan festival.
-Meeting with hubli municipal corporation took place only once and it was to discuss about the management of waste(solid).
-The DoHome project officer suggested visiting other landfill areas/cities to collect more information on landfills.
-Suggestion from the project officer in Mundgod for workshop related to solid waste management.
-There were discussions about fencing, Compactor and road to the landfills in Mundgod settlement.
-Some of the wastes are burned. The project officer from the home department also discussed about its affect on health.
-In order to built a landfill, quantity and quality of the waste has to be kept in mind-which’s the main purpose of this visit from the DoHome Project officer.
-On Environment Day, they spread awareness to School with the help from the Health officer in Mundgod to give speech on health related issues.
-The dumping site belongs to a Tibetan family and the Settlement has made a 10 year agreement with them for an amount of 10,000 Indian rupees.
-The scrap dealer chose only the waste materials that can be sold and discard which are of no use to them.

The project started in the year 2003. Lungsung has 3500 acre in Bylakuppe. There are 3 big monasteries, 4 small monasteries, 2 schools and 6 camps. There are hospitals, restaurants, offices within the Lungsung Settlement. The total budget for 2010 for the solid waste management is INR 16,00,000.

-In the beginning, they kept 2 dustbin in the Settlement for communities to dump their waste on a trail basis but they mix both the dry and wet waste making it difficult for the green workers to collect it.
-Hence they started collecting from door-door. As a result, it is now more manageable.
-From 6th July i.e. His Holiness Birthday- it was informed to all the people in the Bylakuppe settlement to ban plastic bag. A month notice is given to all the settlers.
-The total waste collected in a day amounts to 1000 kg with 2-3 trips.
-They burn the leftover which is left after the segregation near the pit.
-The total recyclable material is 350kg.
-There is 1 Green worker and 1 driver cum green worker.
-They are using cooperative land for dumping their waste.
-They have done a survey for landfills in Bylakuppe.
-The green workers wear boots and clothes while collecting and dumping the waste.
-The cleanliness survey is done quarterly but now they will do half yearly.
-The total amount collected from the waste is INR 3000-4000 per month. They collect INR 30 from each shops per months and generate INR 500 from the schools.

The solid waste management in Dekyi Larsoe started in the year 2005. Dekyi Larsoe is the new settlement in Bylakuppe with a population of 5000-6000 in 16 villages and 2 average size monasteries. It has 1800 acre of land.
-They collect waste 4 times a week.
-Each truck weighs 400-500 kg.
-Out of 2 green worker, 1 is working as a driver cum green worker. In addition, there is 1 helper.
-They are dumping the waste on un-used land. The contract is for 5 years.
-They collect Rs. 6 per month from each family.

Tsering Youdon
IM Fair Trade Coordinator

P.S. Pictures coming up later! Weak server at present.

TEED Trust, Yellapur

2010-10-08T14:10:00.006+05:30

Aradhana SHG with IM Staff in September 2010

This is one of the partner Organizations of IM based in South of India, which we recently visited. The name of the partner organization is called TEED trust (Tribal Educational and Environmental Development) and is few km from my hometown. There are 6 tribal communities in the area.
And 121 SHG out of which we visited one of them. The Village name is Hunshetti Koppa and the SHG is called Aradhana. There are 35 Sidhi families in the Village out of which 20 women have formed this SHG in the year 2000.
-The members in group grow chilli, tomato, lady’s finger, brinjal, Cucumber, beans in their Kitchen garden. -They have their own paddy field for own consumption.
-They also have cashew and chicken for sale. -Leadership training program is conducted to these SHG women by TEED (SOIR-IM partner Organization) in order to achieve unity within the group.
-The youngest member in the group is 20 years of age and the oldest member in the group is 60 years of age.
-From the SHG money, they provide loan for education, marriage and other purpose also. -They have bought some vessels and lend it during marriage function in the Village and charge Rs.100/day. If they lend to their members, they charge INR 25/day.
-For taking in new member, there is no specific criteria except that she’s to be of good character,adjust with the members and do not share their issues with others in the Village. -They collect Rs. 40 per month from each member as a capital.
-They also take loan from bank if and when necessary.
-These women also work in the agriculture land owned by others and get paid INR 60/day. -They participate in rally to get their land documented.
-The challenges in the Village are: Alcohol but SHG took community action against the local liquor shop in the Village.
-They have an identity in the Society and socially recognized.
-They also provide pencils, notebooks to a hostel constructed for poor children from other Village.
-Many of them has Television and mobile.
-Two of them were sent for training in driving.
Tsering Youdon
IM Fair Trade Coordinator

Kudumbashree Movement

2010-10-06T16:46:00.003+05:30

Ms. Saradha Muraleedharan

Ms. Saradha Muraleedharan presence at the 10th Fair Trade Forum National Convention gave us few insights on women empowerment initiative in Kerala by the Kerala Govt. She explained to us the meaning of Kudumbashree. It means the well being of a family which is a movement in its own right. This movement works through local govt and has outreached 200,000 neighbourhood.
An extract from the internet:
‘Kudumbashree, which means prosperity of the family, is the name of the women oriented, community based, State Poverty Eradication Mission of Government of Kerala. Kerala is a tiny state lying in the south-west part of Indian federation, where many development experiments are being tested, refined and implemented. The mission aims at the empowerment of women, through forming self help groups and encouraging their entrepreneurial or other wide range of activities. The purpose of the mission is to ensure that the women should no longer remain as passive recipients of public assistance, but active leaders in women involved development initiatives. Kudumbashree project for poverty reduction was launched on 17 May 1998’.
It was amazing to learn that this movement has brought hope, participation and collaboration of women in Kerala.
-There are 2,30,000 women farmers involved in the Kudumbashree family. -These women do not get loans from bank because their lands are not registered. But Kudumbashree has helped them in availing loans from the micro-enterprise.
-Kudumbashree helps with farming, building enterprises, works with placement opportunities, gender issues.
-The movement also helps the member in harnessing the market and collaborating with other organization.
-They have projects such as:
a.Banana cultivation
b.Milk supply
c.Animal husbandry
d.Cashew
e.Sewing machine
-Kudumbashree biggest dream is to have women groups involved in cultivation of cotton, women groups doing spinning work, women groups in weaving and in stitching.
-She explained to us about poor not only in monetary terms but also of not having any access to information and resources of the nation.
Tsering Youdon
IM Fair Trade Coordinator

Study on Living wage for Lungta products, Dharamsala

2010-10-06T16:37:00.001+05:30

Lungta artisans

I just received the report on Living wage from Mr. Pankaj, the resource person for calculating the living wage for Lungta Products and Clean Upper Dharamsala Recycle paper products in Dharamsala. He was kind enough to take some time out in helping me in carrying out this work.
It’s also such a great feeling to know his willingness to be associated with us and our producer groups in the future. He appreciated the things he has seen during his visit to these groups and amazed by the artisans’ perspective towards their life.

Below is a brief note from his report send via post.
Methodology used for both the organizations
A methodology involving interview using a questionnaire was used. It takes into account existing level of wages and benchmarks it against the following:
-Minimum good requirements for a family size of 3 adults
-Clothing -Health facilities -Education for kids -Social cost/Entertainment -House-owned/Rented -Savings for future -Insurance
-How do the artisans feel about their life quality?
A person scoring more than 85% was considered as having qualified the living wage test.

Artisans working in Lungta products Findings of Lungta products:
-Calories Test
a.No. of workers interview: 21
b.No. of artisans qualifying the calories test: 19
-Other Findings
a.All the artisans have medical insurance/health facility
b.All the workers have a saving account in PNB Dharamsala(One of the major banks in India)
c.More than 90% of the artisans interviewed were being able to generate some amount of savings.
d.Children of all the artisans are pursuing education.
e.Provident Fund scheme in operation for all the artisans.
f.The artisans rated their level of satisfaction as “Good”(Options being excellent/Good/Average/Bad).
Conclusion:
The Organization is taking good care of their artisans. Apart from paying regular wages, well above the state minimum wage, all the artisans are given good by the organization 3 times a day. The minimum wage rate prescribed by the Govt. is INR 110 per person per day. Existing minimum wage levels at the organization is INR 120 per person per day and for the trainees it is INR 100 per person per day. The rations they buy are apart from this and is needed for their families and quests. The artisans are happy about their work and feel that the organization is taking good care of them and their families. They however, feel the need for having a life insurance cover for themselves. To improve their savings, options like forming self help groups can be explored for the artisans. The artisans also expressed their desire to link their wages with productivity, as is the case with the organizations nearby. The ever rising prices and increase in the cost of living, however remains a challenge.
The above report is written by Mr. Pankaj, the resource person and uploaded on the blog by me.
Tsering Youdon
IM Fair Trade Coordinator

Study on Living wage for CUDP Recycle paper Unit, Dharamsala

2010-10-06T16:18:00.001+05:30

Artisans working for Clean Upper Dharamsala Paper unit.

Findings of the Clean Upper Dharamsala Recycle Paper products:

-Calories test
a.No. of workers interviewd: 11
b.No. of artisans qualifying the calories test: 11

-Other findings
a.All the artisans have medical insurance/health facility
b.All the workers have a saving account in PNB Dharamsala
c.More than 95% of the artisans interviewd were being able to generate some amount of savings
d.Children of all the artisans are pursuing education
e.Provident fund scheme in operation for all the artisans
f.The artisans rated their level of satisfaction as “Good” (Option being excellent/Good/Average/Bad)

Conclusion:
The handmade Recycle paper workshop is the source of livelihood for 11 artisans. It is a modest workshop which combines the commitment and hard work of the artisans involved. Being a part of settlement office and being commercially located, it has good potential from the local market.
The wages being paid to the artisans at the workshop are well above the state minimum wages.The minimum salary paid to the artisans is INR 4400 per month(INR 133 per day, which is more than the state minimum wage of INR 110 per day). The wages are able to take care of food, clothing, entertainment, saving schemes, medical benefits, education needs etc. The workshop maintains propoer wage record for the artisans. All the artisans are paid wages on time, with no penal deductions. The artisans are happy working for the workshop. The ever rising prices and increase in the cost of living, however remains a challenge.

This report is done by Mr. Pankaj, resource person and uploaded on the blog by me.

Tsering Youdon
IM Fair Trade Coordinator

During my recent visit to CUDP in August 2010 with Lilian.

2010-10-05T15:03:00.000+05:30

Advantages of being administered under the Tibetan Settlment Office:

1) They do not have to pay rent for the unit. The recycle paper unit is spacious with different sections for cutting machine, chopping machine, paper making, book binding and office. If they find a new place for the unit, the expenditure goes up.

2) Artisans in the recycled paper unit can easily avail recommendation letter with the help of the Manager of the unit to admit their children to Tibetan Village School. But the admission process entirely lies with the School administration.

3) They also get opportunity for an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

4) The location of the green shop and recycled paper unit is very favorable and easily attracts foreigners.

Artisans working in the recycled paper unit

Appointing a separate Accountant:

1) At present, the Tibetan Settlement office has one Accountant who works with three different sections such as Tibetan Settlement Office, Environment Section and The Recycled paper unit. The Manager of the paper unit is thinking of appointing a separate accountant for the paper unit so as to maintain a separate bank account in order to know the correct figures of the transactions.

2) The Manager also wishes to know precisely the income and expenditure of the unit. Even though the transaction records are maintained in the tally software (an Accounting tool); there is only one bank account. The Manager, as a result, finds it very difficult to know the proper income of the paper unit.

3) Source of Income for the paper unit:-

a) Car Parking,

b) Gym, and

c) the Green Shop.

Artisans working on the price tag

Future Plans:

1) He discussed this issue with the Settlement office to start a branch in Dharamsala near the main temple where they have the parking area.

2) The Manager is also planning to sell T-shirts with different prints on it.

3) He is also planning to increase the price of the products. He might ask his friend working in the audit department to help him in product costing.

4) He is also planning to make new designs.

5) There is a group in Manali making and selling toys made from yarn. He will try to buy and sell thei products too.

Artisan sticking the price tag

The Donation Box:

1) They have kept a donation box in the Paper unit out of which 40% is distributed to the artisans during the Tibetan New Year and the rest is kept for office use. It comes to INR 1000-1200 for each artisans.

Wednesday Guide Tour:

1) The Recycled paper unit also organize a guide tour every Wednesday for individuals and groups. And the Manager is incharge of guiding the group.

2) The Manager feels that he can explain elaborately the process involved in making a paper than the volunteers working in the Tibetan Settlement or any other person.

Profit for the year 2009:

1) According to the audit report, the profice for the paper unit is One Hundred thousand but the Manager feels that the Recycle paper factory is earning more than what’s been officially reported.

The Manager views of his artisans:

1) They are hard working and very efficient.

2) Whenever the manager introduces new design in products, the artisans finishes them in a week. It’s challenging to introduce new designs every week.

Salary for the artisans:

1) The salary for the artisans was increased to INR 600.

Best and most suitable months for making paper:

1) May to July

2) End September to December

3) Because of the monsoon, humidity and harsh winter, they do not make papers in August, Jan, Feb, March and April. In order to keep the production going, they buy recycle paper from Delhi.

Renovation of the Green Shop:

1) Due to the humidity and monsoon season, the paper factory proposed an application for renovation. But fortunately he bought a second hand shelf from one of his friends for about 13,000 INR which was made of glass and wood.

2) They have kept a separate room for the filter water(meant for sale) instead of keeping them inside the Green Shop.

A Tibetan Volunteer:

1) Tennam, one of the Manager’s friends is a volunteer in the office working on photoshops.

Buyers:

1) IM Sweden

2) Groups(foreigners) also buys product during the guide tour.

Displaying their products at Dilli Haat: (Dilli Haat is a combination food plaza and craft bazaar located in the heart of Delhi)

1) During his recent visit, Mr. Pankaj suggested that it will be good idea to display some of the products in Dilli haat. But the Manager thinks it’s bit expensive besides a reliable person is needed to look after the shop.

Design:

1) Their Products: Books, Albums, Lamp, Jewellery Box, Writing pad etc.

2) The Manager wishes to learn different techniques of using the recycled paper.

3) He also looks at website where they make different products using recycled paper.

4) He is also planning to send one or two artisans for training.

5) They have made use of rubber band instead of thread on notebooks’ cover.

6) They are recylcing the unused paper for making threads to be used as a handle for carry bag.

A helping hand:

1) The Recycled paper unit provided free training to one of the staff working in a school for differently abled children.

Tara beads, Dharamsala

2010-10-05T14:36:00.000+05:30

Tibetan Unemployed Association
Mr Dawa founded an organization called Tibetan Unemployed Association for the unemployed youths from Tibet settled in Dharamsala. The main objective was and still is to make it a wing for the Tibetan unemployed people to access job opportunities in Dharamsala.
At present, the list of unemployed people in Dharamsala is registered to have crossed more than 200.

Job opportunities in Dharamsala:
1) Road Construction 2) Building construction 3) White Washing 4) Cobbler 5) Housekeeping
Mr. Dawa requests office of Tibetan Govt. in Dharamsala and organizations to provide jobs especially to the unemployed. On many occasions, he has succeeded in providing jobs to these people in the sectors mentioned above. Of them, I met with 2 artisans working in the bead production unit– one of them skilled and a quality inspector and another is on the job training.

Tara Beads:

It was founded in the year 2005 by Mr. Dawa Tsering with the help from a Danish Couple. The bead production unit was initially a project proposed by the Danish couple to provide skill training to the unemployed- both male and female settled in Dharamsala. In the beginning, about 30-40 unemployed from the Tibetan Unemployed association were trained for the bead making but only 12 were selected based ultimately on their skill and performance. However, the trading part of the bead production gradually happened. They were provided a soft loan in the beginning as a capital.
Mrs. Jampa Chodon (Mr. Dawa’s spouse) is currently the Manager of the unit. Under her, there are 16 artisans including 2 men and 14 women. Mr Dawa remains the Founder Director of Tara beads.

Raw Materials:

1)The murona glass is imported form Italy and the supplier was introduced to them by the Danish Couple.
2) They also buy from Faridabad-India to sell in the local market.
3) They also buy the cotton thread form India
4) And buys the metal from Delhi

Waste Material:
1) They have kept all the glass particles in Stock. I have also told them about TARA in Delhi who might help in reusing the waste material.

Minimum and Maximum age of artisans: 1) Minimum 20 and maximum 40 years of age

(In pic. Lilian, Mrs. Jampa and Mrs. Tsamchoe, the Quality inspector)

Trainings provided:
1) Training is provided for 6 months and if they are able to learn the skill in the given period, they get selected.
2) The artisans are provided with opportunity and encouraged to make new designs.

Bead production workshop

Salary:
1) It’s monthly paid including Sundays. They did not pay on piece rate as the artisans compromise on the quality by producing more.
2) The artisans get INR 170- INR 220 per day based on their terms of service. 3) Women earn more than the men in the unit.

Challenges:
1) Artisans join other organization after receiving training from the organization. It’s happened once.
2) Marketing of the products

Buyers:
1) 80% export to Denmark
2) 20% to Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives.
3) IM Sweden

Benefits to the artisans: 1) Free Lunch 2) 2 tea breaks 3) 2 toilets 4) Paid maternity leave for one month 5) Language classes for them by Volunteers 6) Medical benefits of INR 50 7) Rent 8) Losar Bonus

Turnover: 1) INR 30-40 lakh

Meetings:
1) Meetings once in a month and when needed.
2) Discuss about product development
3) Meeting about savings and investment in Insurance Company. 4) Suggestions by the artisans
Tsering Youdon
IM Fair Trade Coordinator

Workshop for the artisans of IMEX, Dekyiling and Tibetan Women Centre

2010-08-23T10:46:00.000+05:30

The main purpose of the workshop was to inform the artisans about fair trade and other issues relating to fair trade such as customers, buyers, quality, middlemen, supply chain.
Artisans, middlemen, IMO and Buyer
Participants:
1) IMEX Artisans – 17 artisans and 1 master weaver
2) Dekyiling Tibetan Handicraft Center- 2 master weavers and 3 artisans
3) Tibetan Women Center – 4 artisans

The mainstream market and Supply Chain was explained to the artisans via taking example of their daily shopping. I explained to the artisans that we never bother to ask questions about the people involved in the production process of tea. Mrs. Alka told them that the people working in the tea plantation and the factories are never paid enough of their work.

Artisans were asked about the meaning of fair trade. To them:
1) It means to work to the best of one’s own ability.
2) Customer should be satisfied
3) There should not be any complaints
4) The products should be at a reasonable price
5) The produce should be of good quality

Picture Observations:
Each group was also given 1 or 2 pictures for observations and to draw conclusions. There were pictures of a customer, group of people having a meeting, children working and artisans working on the design.

Mrs Alka told them that the observation could be anything – there is no right or wrong thing.They were also told of the difference between children learning and working.

Quality:
When asked about the maintenance of quality, they replied that there should not be any defect…..product has to be of good quality…for a reasonable price. Customer should be happy and satisfied with the product

The Ten Principles in Tibetan Language:
The ten principles of fair trade was read out to them by one of the artisans and I explained in brief.

A group game on team work.
Lessons observed and learned:
1) Working together
2) Completion of work on time. Not to leave one’s work half done.
3) Some commented that the one who made the longer line wins.
4) Create ideas in making a product
5) Targets to be achieved, encourage the groups, coordination, lead the groups.
6) Watch your competitor
7) Participation of all the participants

Sample Development:
4 groups of 4-5 each was formed to develop a sample for the Christmas. 2 groups received positive response from the buyer and one group's sample was rejected. One group did not make the sample as was told to them.

As far as my opinion is concerned, I am quite satisfied with the way the workshop turned out. Most of the artisans participated in all the group games except for few...as it happens in workshop that I have attended.

Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator

Utmost Satisfaction without any expectation…..is what I achieved after the workshop in KKM…

2010-08-12T10:55:00.000+05:30

Participants involved in a game

On August 2, the producer organizations KKM, Dekyiling Handicraft Centerand Tibetan Women Centre were informed about the workshop to be held 6:th and 7:th of August with a clear instructions that it’s for the artisans. The work-shop was about the ten principles of Fair Trade and how they are affected by them.

The Resource person from Fair Trade Forum -India, Mrs Alka, wanted about 25 artisans in each group.

So, in IMEX, there are 17 people and I decided to invite 5 artisans each from TWC and Dekyiling. But with KKM, I asked in person to the management if it would be possible to select 25 artisans for the workshop. And they said if they select some and leave the others, the latter might wonder why they were not selected. Mrs Alka also thought if we select on our own, it will be a kind of discrimination. So, I left all the decision to KKM management. Hence, the workshop was for all the artisans. Even though the artisans were not told in specific terms but the master weaver were told that it’s a workshop.

We had more than 25 participants at the beginning but ended up with more than 15 participants at the end. And most of them participated with a willingness to learn something. Some of them came up to me and said it’s good that we are discussing about our roles and responsibility, quality checking and customers too. So, I was quite happy with what I saw. Artisans came as they wanted to and left also. There were no rules to conform to.

At the end of the day, I am quite happy with the response/feedback that I received. To tell the truth, I had no expectations whatsoever in percentage wise- bothering about how it will turn out. Sometimes, the satisfaction that you get after doing something is far greater than doing the expectation calculation.

/Tsering Youdon Fair Tradecoordinator for IM-SOIR

Workshop on fair wage policy by Fair Trade Forum-India held at Indian Social Institute, Delhi My Understanding of the workshop:

2010-08-03T15:00:00.000+05:30

In the workshop (By the panelist as well as presentation), it was brought to our notice that:
1) Craft does not fall under any Sector - I realized only later that I did not ask any more questions in this regard.

2) We should build a mechanism where jobs are created- Mr. Suneet Chopra gave an example about an agriculture labourer who fainted after seeing a machine because their job is no more required(Don’t recall the specific machine).

3) Living wage is the ultimate goal - Mr. Kumar Gautam said Living wage is the ultimate goal which takes into account all the expense of an artisan.

4) What percentage of the total cost comprise the “wage” component? ---- Through the presentation, Ananya gave us insight on percentage of the component “wage” in the total cost of the product and its importance.

5) Influencing of the global supply chain- Asia Floor Wage Campaign is focusing on the global supply chain where it not only concentrates at the artisans level but also at the global level.

6) Productivity/Efficiency not only at the Producer levels but also at the upper level (Fair Trade Organization at the global level) – These was an important note because we play both the roles – IM Sweden buys the products that IMEX’s producer organization produces.

7) Buyer’s lead time affecting the productivity and also the wage pattern – There are times when buyers do not give enough lead time. We always have this issue of receiving orders at the right time.

8) To understand that workers are also consumers - There should be people buying the things that is being produced – If we do not pay enough wages to artisans, they will not have the purchasing power.

9) Issue of overtime work --- leading to child labour – At times, artisan also employ their children in order to finish the order on time. I think this is more reference to home based industry.

10) Percentage of Landless has gone up and labour hours has gone down- Mr. Sandeep also gave us number facts about agriculture land which are not in use and also of those which have been taken over by land mafias.

11) A Pact against Children working in hazardous work which India (Govt) did not sign – Mr. Chopra said India is the only Country that did not sign the Pact. I don’t know how many Countries are there.

12) Two ways of calculating wages: Income approach and Cost Approach

13) To create a framework for all the fair trade organizations in India – FTF-I will come up with a framework for fair wage calculation and for that purpose 4 steering members were selected.

14) Fair Wage and Full Employment - There are artisans who receives order for only few months and thus employed during that period. In that case, how should we come up with fair wage?

15) Piece rate and standard daily wage into hourly – I did not get this point straight in my head. I need more clarification.

16) Monetary value of benefits as part of Fair Wage – Some organization provides benefits such as lunch, tea, medical facilities, creches, school fees etc etc. So, there were questions whether we should consider the monetary value of benefits as part of the fair wage.

17) Advocacy to ensure fair wage

18) Proportion of Food Cost and Non Food Cost – These two items helps in the calculation of Living Wage. Food cost includes the calories count of one family (3 adults i.e. 2 adult and 2 children). And Non food cost includes the expense on education, clothing, insurance etc.

Tsering Youdon

Design cooperation with KKM leprosy colonies

2010-07-30T11:12:00.000+05:30

KKM is constituted of four leprosy colonies where about 160 people live overall. Three of the colonies are situated in and around Dheradun and one is in Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, north India. The people live and work in the colonies. They make yarn from cotton or wool. From that they weave and sew textile products like carpets, bags, accessories, pillow cushions, table cloths and more.

The designer, Subhabrata Sadhu, and Noel Das that is one of the administration staff at KKM discuss about what is appropriate for KKM according to design development. .

At first there was some plans that KKM would from raw material produce fabrics that Tibetan Women Center and Deykiling Handicraft Center would use do to make products of. In this way IM Fair Trades supplier groups could be connected with eachother and create job opportunities fo eachother. The discussions between IM, KKM and the designer revealed an uncertainty about the idea to put the responsibility on KKM, which have an output which can be quite irregular. It was agreed that there was no need to chain the suppliers to eachother when a possible delay of KKM would affect the other two suppliers.

However, we looked around at KKM's store where there are lots of textiles. Subhabrata considered that part of it in stock would be appropriate and that this would be good for all parties if it could be used.

- Since they already have some nice fabrics I plan to use their fabric to develop a range of bags and accessories with TWC. Apart from that I intend to design some scarves, cushion covers and tablecloths with them, says Subhabrata Sadhu.

Some of KKM:s artisans.

According to the designer they have their strengths in good skill, good understanding of design and aesthetic, good product with lot of potential in the market and a good production facilitys. The weakness that is facing with KKM is a lack of motivation, lack of young weavers who can produce as per deadline and can work more when required, low time commitment (people work as per their will), unwillingness to improve and work as per order and lack of raw material and stock management.

Some of KKM:s weavers.

Three fabrics were selected from KKM and taken to TWC that sewed two bags and a smaller toilet bag to test the quality and suitability. One of the fabrics was a thin fabric that may be suitable for slightly thinner garments.

/Lilian

Design development cooperation with Tibetan artisan groups

2010-07-29T05:32:00.000+05:30

Tibetan Women Center (TWC) and Deykiling Handicraft Center (DHC) both creates job opportunities for Tibetan refugees, mainly women. The design project in cooperation between the designer, Sadhu Subhabrata, IM Fair Trade and the suppliers (TWC and DHC) will affect TWC:s tailoring section, DHC:s weaver and tailoring sections.

The designer, Sadhu, Tsering Youdon (IM Fair Tradecoordinator) and me (IM Fair Trade volunteer) visited the suppliergroups to look at the materials and discuss plans with the managers; Kalsang Wangdu for DHC and Ngodup Wasser for TWC.

Ngdodup Wasser, manager at TWC to the left and Kalsang Wangdu, manager for DHC discussing design development.

So what is planned for these two groups?
The manager of DHC was in favor of new design and the project but was a bit worried about the cost of developing products. It was decided that the yarn and wool in stock should as far as possible be used, it is both faster and cheaper.

Fabric that is weaved at DHC and used for Tibetan jackets and two of the weavers at DHC.

- I plan to develop some new weaves by changing minor loom setting and develop some scarves if possible. Since their fabric is expensive I plan to buy fabric from the market and then use their fabric as accents to develop bags and accessories. I also plan to develop table runners and cushions in their technique of weaving. I will also try to work on some patchwork with them by using their fabric or fabric from outside, says Sadhu about the plans for DHC.

The tailoring section at Tibetan Women Center.

- For TWC we will work on some stitching techniques to create surface and then develop bags and accessories and baby clothes. Some fabric will be procured from the market and rest of the fabrics will be procured from KKM. Techniques will include quilting, patch work and frayed edge appliqué, says Sadhu.

- I focus on two things when it comes to TWC, new fresh design, but they must retain their own identity on them, it should be noticed that they are from here, Sadhu describes.

The main market for TWC and DHC is Tibetan hence it is very important to preserve the Tibetan design in any way in any product. They both also have a small export market and Subhabrata Sadhu planning to design products that might work on an export market.

- There must be a combination of preserving what is good from what already exists and bring new ideas, a mixture of traditional and modern, says Sadhu.

Subhabrata Sadhu says that it is as important for both the groups to maintain and give expression to the Tibetan culture and design of products. However, he talked about reducing the amount of colors and patterns for making accessories and products that can go home to a wider market. The apron by the fabric and other textiles used in Tibetan jackets may be details on the products and combined with more neutral colors.

Strengths and weakness according from a designers point of view
I ask Sadhu to state the suppliers strengths and weakness that can affect their work and design.

- DHC:s strengts is that they have good stitching and weaving skill, a good understanding of quality and colour sense, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and change. Their weakness is that the productline is expensive, they have limited techniques and lack of dedicated staff to work all the year round.

Tashi Dolma, Tsering Youdon, Subhabrata Sadhu and Ngdoup Wasser looking at the loom and aprontextiles at TWC.

- TWC:s strengts is that they have a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and change, have medium stitching skills and entrepreneurial quality. Their wekness on the other hand is that they have no committed workers to work all the year round, stitching skills is not upto the mark for high end products, they have limited products and a ethnic look of the products, says Sadhu.

One problem with DHC and also for TWC is that the artisans leave their work at the centers for three or four months, usually from September to October, to sell ready-made garment that provides more income. This demands that the collection of samples of the new products must be finished before then, to avoid the project will be on the ice for many months. If the samples can be made in time, the products can be marketed and those who are still at work at the centers can begin the production.

The project plans to start running as soon as possible when Subhabrata Sadhu is finished with the design of the products to the suppliers.

- However there are bound to be many trials before we finalise techniques and choose the right products which can be made easily, he states.

Text by Lilian Sahlin, IM-SOIR Fair Trade volunteer 2010

Capacity building in terms of design development!

2010-07-28T22:14:00.000+05:30

The third WFTO Fair Trade principle is about capacity building of which one branch is design development. For that reason IM Fair Trade have started a collaboration with a designer, Subhatra Sadhu, that should work with three of IM Fair Trades suppliers; KKM, Tibetan Women Center (TWC) and Deykiling Handicraft Center (DHC).

The designer that IM Fair Trade started to work with, Subhatra Sadhu.

- The artisans needs guidance in quality improvement, appropriate technology improvement and proper working environment. Many Fair Trade organizations ignore this and fails in successful marketing. That leads to that the artisans is not provided with a sustainable livelihood, claims the freelance textile designer Subhatra Sadhu.

Sadhu have eight years experience in his field and graduated from Govt College of Fine arts in Chennai and National Institute of design. He have been working with NGO:s that works with livelihood developing programe related to textile industry, artisans supported by development organizations and also worked for high end export companys and boutiques.

From his work in commercial business he learned the importance of quality and time in the craftsector.

- The artisans were working an absolute commercial establishment but I found that many handloom weavers and weaver’s co-operative societies were happy working for the company because of their excellent marketing skills. The two things that were stressed on and were enforced by the company were adherence to quality and time. If these two conditions were met the artisans were never denied their share of profit. And the fact that these were upmarket products sold at a high price in the international market, Sadhu states.

He also worked with three Fair Trade organizations previously as he see as a good experience, even though he does not see any big difference between Fair Trade artisans and non Fair tTade artisans at a grass root level.

- Often Fair Trade and non Fair Trade oganizations can have the same supplier. The rates in weaving and handwork is more or less standardized. The thing that vary the most between organizations is the quality on the products and the intensity of the work, that affects the wages. The basic problem for the artisans is not often low wages but the lack of regular work, Sadhu states.

He also states an opinion that Fair Trade organization in general work too little with product development.
- The process have to follow skill development for artisans, efficient market research have to be done and then design development. Often attempts are made to quickly to market artisans product to earn quick money, Sadhu thinks.

The positive side of Fair Trade Sadhu states is that it gets allot of publicity that leads to that consumers in different countries get more aware of traditional crafts, working conditions and the financially weak status of craftspeople. Fair Trade can lead to a higher appreciation of crafts and then generate higher wages at an artisan level and also that the artisans can get the opportunity to travel and interact with buyers directly. With the close interaction between Fair trade organization and the artisans the artisans can get direct exposure to contemporary markets trends, colors and consumer trends. Barely by just having a Fair Trade certificate leads to empowerment and some kind of accountability that the principles are being followed.

- The Fair Trade guidelines also evoked some conscience in the traders working with marginalized artisans and now are more sensitive to their plight, Sadhu states.

One other problem in craftsector connected with Fair Trade is that the orders for the artisans can be very irregular, that also was discussed at Fair Trade Forum Indias work-shop about fair wages.
- Many artisans in the craftsector is not serious about their livelihood. This can be due to an uncertain view on the sector due to lack of work and sustainability that forced them into other, less skilled, livelihood to support themselves, Sadhu states.

As as designer Sadhu ensure certain criteria while working with artisans groups as such as:

That the design is easily understood.
That the design and product can be made by the artisans.
That it takes reasonable time to make the product.
Time managment and quality have to be stressed as important parameters.
The raw materials have to be easily available.
Each craft have to retain the identity that makes it unique and stand out in the market.
There should be an understanding of the market.

- While working with Fair Trade groups it is important to look at the time it takes to make each product, the cost of the product have to be justified and the wage have to be fair accordingly. Fair Trade can create a false threshold level for the wages that is not adequate for the artisans, so it is important to look at the wages, Sadhu describes.

- Fair Trade organizations have to work continuous with product development and marketing to attract costumers. The craft have to be market as handmade crafts because it is impossible to compete with the price for bulk suppliers and machine made merchandisers, states Sadhu.

The designer, Sadhu, IM:s Fair Tradecoordinator Tsering Youdon and myself met each producer organization in the design project to check with them the available materials and plan the work.

Text and interview made by Lilian Sahlin, Fair Trade volunteer for IM-SOIR 2010.

Training for CUDP artisans on the cards!

2010-07-28T13:29:00.000+05:30

We meet different people through the internet. And I am not talking about the social network that’s available galore!

Recently when I wanted for CUDP (Recycled Paper Project) to find ways to increase their range of products, I ended up finding Jenny in Bangaluru (Which is in South India) on the internet. I was so taken away with her website (www.jennypinto.com) and their range of products that I asked if she could develop some designs for CUDP which she readily agreed. She knew about Tibetan cause and a supporter too which also proved helpful.

We also came to know that we need to develop the paper quality in order to boost more markets both domestic and international. Even though there has been no question regarding CUDP artisans’ efficiency in their work or product quality; it’s not very often that they are exposed to other market places or trainings.

CUDP being one of our suppliers, our responsibility is to provide assistance in finding organizations or institutions providing training to improve paper quality. So, it’s still on the cards. Jenny is also providing us suggestions. We will see what’s the best option and how and in what ways CUDP can contribute in terms of resources - human and monetary. Because at times, it is always preferable to have producer organization be responsible and accountable.

/Tsering Youdon

A date is now set for a work-shop about fair trade for the artisans!

2010-07-27T09:58:00.000+05:30

The 6:th and 7:th august is IM-SOIR arranging a work-shop about fair trade for the producer groups artisans. A woman that previously held work-shops for the producer groups administration, Mrs. Alka, is going to lead the work-shop. She is trained by Fair Trade Forum- India.

Questions and discussions concerning the ten fair trade principles, the purpose of fair trade, responsibilities, accountability, wages, information about costumers of the products, benefits provided by the producer organizations, occupational and health safety is what we see is important to have on the schedule.

It is not fixed which groups and how many artisans can attend, but we will discuss that in Delhi when we attend to the work-shop about fair wages.

/Lilian and Youdon

Calculation of Living Wage

2010-07-23T16:53:00.000+05:30

When I recently tried to calculate fair wages taking into account the living wage of each artisans, I also wrote to world of good organization with the hope that they will provide me with some tools to carry this out.

And I received a response from them mentioning about not having any specific software to fair wage.

They wrote saying that they will update me if anything comes up.

I could not link their website....so anyone interested please visit www.worldofgood.org.

Happy weekend!
/Youdon

How to assess if a group or organization is "fair"?

2010-07-23T00:40:00.000+05:30

It pops up many thoughts in my head related to my work as a volunteer/trainee for IM-SOIR with focus on fair trade. I have thought allot of how to assess and how to judge whether an organization is working satisfactory with the ten principles of fair trade. There is a lot of things to keep track of, and although some of the organizations/groups have a close connection and a work allot with some of the principles, they have their weaknesses in others, and as everyone knows: your strength is defined by your weakest link. It can be difficult to know what to priority in the work, and also to have knowledge of how conditions have to be to be seen as "fair".

Youdon now works primarily with a design project, fair wages and planning a workshop about fair trade for the producer groups artisans. Design is very important, no trade can exist without a market for the products, no matter how well the organization perform in other areas. Regarding fair wages is also difficult to know what is a "fair" wage. It should be a wage that is enough to support themselves and their children. Many organizations have low wages, but most also have benefits such as free housing, water, electricity, get their childrens education paid, etc. That means that the wages can be low, but it can still be sufficient to support themselves. I discussed with Wangchuk Gyalpo (regional director for SOIR-IM Asia) yesterday about wages and he mentioned that the wages should be at least two dollars per day, ie exceed one of the common used definitions of poverty. Youdon and I will attend to a workshop organized by Fair Trade Forum-India (FTF-I) on fair wages next week. I'm no expert on wages and economy and to complicate it further, I am relatively new in India with a foreign currency. I see it as an interesting challenge and experience to take part of how the discussions goes, and also try to find out how other organizations involved with fair trade works with wages.

Today I read through "SFTMS Baseline Assessment Manual" (SFTS = Sustainable Fair Trade Management System) which is a new (2009) international standard published by WFTO for certification of organizations working with and towards the Fair Trade principles. The manuals main objective is to assess compliance with fair trade principles and continually identify areas for improvement. In India, FTF-I selected ten organizations to a pilot project to see how the manual works in practice. A meeting was planned to evaluate how the work with the manual has been going in the organizations in late July but may have been slightly postponed according to Youdon. I do not know about other countries and organizations done something similar with this material, anyone else that know something about that?

The manual is careful to emphasize that the attitude towards organizations should be friendly, straightforward and transparent and that there are no right or wrong and that the manual should used as a basis for evaluation and improvements for organizations. They also provide suggestions on possible methods:

* Pre-screening of the organization and its work with fair trade principles.
* Organization Chart which describes the hierarchy of the organization and how many employees there is in the organization and on which positions.
* Employees and producer feedback. Input from employees must be collected which can be done through interviews, forms and questionnaires that can be anonymous if the employed wish that.
* Production Flow Chart to view the production process from raw material to finished product.
* An environmental survey in which environmental and health risks are identified. Areas as water consumption, waste water disposal, storage of chemicals, energy consumption, waste management, pollution risks and accidents is seen as essential to document.
* A comprehensive assessment have to be done. It can be done by a scoring point system how well the organization is working in various areas. Also plans and program for continuous improvement, time-frame for action, and to clearly define who is responsible for the implementation of the improvements is a vital part of the work.

The methods is quite similar to an environmental management system and how a systematic work to reduce risk for health and environment can proceed in Sweden, which I am more familiar with after my degree in environment and health. As long as the method is used carefully and the organizations take it seriously and do the job that is needed I think it can be a powerful tool to assess how organizations work. It is an important step for the fair trade principle that concerns accountability, transparency and promote fair trade. Is the material presented in public, it can provide a closer relationship and a security to consumers that the products originated from a place that is actively engaged in fair trade and to improve themselves!

Youdon and I discussed to make a brief version of assessment on Dharamsala Paper Factory in August according to some of the methods suggested in the manual, we will see how that goes!

Lilian Sahlin, volunteer/trainee for IM-SOIR

Workshop on Fair Wage Policy on July 30th, 2010 by FTF-I

2010-07-20T13:36:00.000+05:30

As per the emerging need expressed by the members, Fair Trade Forum – India is organizing a one day brainstorming workshop on “ Fair Wage Policy for unorganized sector in India: Issues & challenges for FTOs”.

In this regard, Fair Trade Forum – India is planning to do a brainstorm with a few Fair trade practitioners, experts and researchers on 30th July 2010 to take the initial steps in this direction.

The overall objective of this workshop is to create opportunity for dialogue to understand the ground realities in which Fair trade organizations are working and also to evolve practical and sustainable ways and means to effectively implement Fair wage policy by Fair trade organizations. As an outcome of the workshop, a policy brief will be prepared and circulated to members for suggestions and recommendations. It is also proposed to conduct a field survey with few FTOs. Detailed program will be mailed to members in next few days.

Fair Trade Forum-India
National Network for Fair Trade in India

Views from Recycled Paper Manager, Dharamsala

2010-07-20T13:16:00.000+05:30

Recycled Paper

I won't be able to draw any conclusion about the same as I still haven't receive the final analyzed report from Mr. Pankaj ji. But having the time spent with him, I found that only in some cases, the expenditure exceeded the total income of the family and that was mainly in the cases of artisans holding family of more than 3 children. Because the major expenses were on the children’s' school fees, clothing and entertainment. Other than that, even Mr. Pankaj ji agreed that the wages given to the artisans are up to the mark according to one of the principle- Fair Wages" of the "Fair Trade".

Once I receive the report from Mr. Pankaj ji after completing his analysis, I shall send you a report based on my introspection of the final report received from Mr. Pankaj ji.

Tsering Phuntsok,

Manager of Clean Upper Dharamsala Paper Project

Views from Manager of Lungta Products

2010-07-20T13:09:00.000+05:30

Lungta Product

Mr. Pankaj has visit our organization and he asked question to our artisan about their education, family back ground, insurance policy and saving and monthly income and expenditure.
It was a very good experience to them and for me too. Which means saving is most important things in our life to improve once livelihood. Most of them are having family and to save little amount of money from our salary is very important, which Mr. Pankaj also advice some of artisan to save money from salary for their future.
His visit is really grateful for us, Thank you.

With Best Wishes,
Kunsang
Manager of Lungta Products, Dharamsala

Feed-back from managers

2010-07-20T13:08:00.000+05:30

Since Mr Pankaj visited both Lungta and Dharamsala Paper Factory and discussed fair wages we got some feed-back in mail that we publish.