News

Amid Afghanistan’s healthcare crisis, Label STEP has trained women carpet weavers as Community Health Workers to deliver basic medical care and education to underserved weaving communities through a growing, grassroots approach.

As COVER Magazine celebrates its 20th anniversary and 80th edition, Label STEP’s Reto Aschwanden reflects on three decades of advancing fair trade in the handmade rug industry—uplifting weavers’ livelihoods and securing the craft’s future.

In Kathmandu, Boudha Dyeing House sets new standards for environmental responsibility and worker safety in carpet dyeing. Supported by Label STEP, the family-run workshop introduces wastewater treatment and safety improvements, inspiring change in Nepal’s handmade carpet sector.

Label STEP India held eye camps in May 2025, offering free eye tests and glasses to 355 weavers and their families. Part of STEP’s wider health programs, the camps aim to support artisan well-being and fair working conditions in India’s carpet industry.

STEP’s approach to child labour is clear: no child should work at the cost of their health or education. In high-risk countries like Afghanistan, STEP’s efforts through audits, community engagement, and support aim to uphold this principle.

Label STEP, M2 Rugs, and the Nepali Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NCMEA) recently traveled to Nepal’s Upper Mustang region to explore local wool production. By connecting with semi-nomadic herders, they aim to support the region’s wool industry, keep traditions alive, and integrate local materials into handmade carpets.