Strengthening weaving mills and building a sustainable industry
Improving the lives of workers and weavers while developing a sustainable handmade carpet industry is a complex process. It requires not only producers who comply with applicable laws and carry the STEP seal for fair trade, but also informed workers who can make a valuable contribution to dialogue and development.
This is where the STEP programme “Weaver Empowerment” comes in. Weaver Empowerment offers weavers and workers the opportunity to learn from relevant information in order to improve their well-being. Since its launch in Nepal, the programme has reached over 6,000 participants. Helping workers to develop their knowledge and skills also has a positive impact on the health of the carpet industry as a whole. Providing highly skilled artisans with all the tools and resources they need to thrive will help preserve this ancient craft and ensure a sustainable industry for years to come.
As weaving is usually carried out by economically disadvantaged members of society for whom access to basic goods and education is difficult, STEP has developed six different modules to empower women weavers to meet the most immediate needs of the workers. These modules include: Health and Hygiene, Lifestyle and Citizenship, Labour Rights and Responsibilities, the Carpet Industry, Education and Rights of Women and Children, and Financial Literacy. The content of these modules can be combined or adapted to take into account the specificities of the different weaving regions and the needs of the participants.
Health and hygiene
This module focuses on personal and environmental health and cleanliness and covers topics such as: clean and safe drinking water, prevention (including immunisation) and treatment of common diseases, first aid, family planning and, for weavers who are predominantly women, women’s health.
Lifestyle and citizenship
Many weavers are migrant workers for whom working in a carpet factory is their first experience outside their country of origin. In this module, STEP focuses on adapting to a new environment and, in the case of weavers working in Nepal, adapting to living and working in an urban environment. Citizenship and labour paperwork requirements and children’s education are just some of the topics covered.
Rights and obligations of employees
Working in a carpet factory or as a home weaver brings with it certain rights and responsibilities that are sometimes different from other forms of manual labour. This module actively engages factory owners, business owners, weavers and workers in developing healthy, strong and mutually respectful workplaces and relationships. The focus is on understanding the importance of rest, productivity, quality and punctuality. The aim is to ensure that weavers earn a decent living while meeting the quality requirements of producers and employers in a fair and sustainable way.
The carpet industry
Next to consumers, weavers play the most important role in the handmade carpet industry. In this module, STEP not only informs weavers about the process of rug production and distribution, but also teaches them about conflict management, the benefits of working in their home country (as opposed to abroad), and the rights and responsibilities of workers in a global supply chain. These lessons give the weavers the tools and information they need to stand up for themselves.
Education and the rights of women and children
Many weavers come from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and may not realise the importance of education as a way out of poverty. In this module, STEP shows weavers that access to education for their children is an investment in the future and emphasises non-discriminatory access to education for all genders. Equal treatment in pay, the prohibition of child labour and the dangers of human trafficking are also addressed to ensure that workers better understand the nature of their environment and are able to secure their future.
Financial culture
This module was developed in response to the recurring problem of financial debt among weavers and carpet workers and addresses the following topics: The importance of savings for long-term financial stability and quality of life, recognising and reducing spending, and maintaining good budgeting and saving habits. Through a combination of audio-visual aids, storytelling and hands-on work, participants are made aware of financial issues and learn to understand and apply them. In addition to this training, STEP supports participants on their path to greater financial security by helping them to open bank accounts or set up savings groups.
The STEP Weaver Empowerment Programme is offered to handmade rug makers who work with one of our certified STEP partners. Developing personal and professional skills at the grassroots level is just one of the many ways STEP ensures a sustainable future for the handmade rug industry and all those involved.
If you would like to get involved and ensure that those who weave your rugs have the opportunity to benefit from this programme, please contact us.
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Find out more about our certified Label STEP Fair Trade partners.
