Action Bag, Bangladesh
During Bangladesh's war of independence with Pakistan over a million Urdu-speaking refugees were displaced and ended up in refugee camps in Saidpur. Suraiya, an Action Bag designer remembers how desperate the situation was; having to walk over dying people and corpses to search for food and there being no opportunities to earn a living.
The Menonite Central Committee, a non governmental organisation that was distributing food and relief in the camps recognised the need to create real jobs in the area. They trained 150 women in silk screening and sewing jute bags. In 1973, Action Bag was initiated, overseeing small cottage style industries with the long term goal of them becoming independent enterprises.
People Tree has worked with Action Aid since 1993 and is now one of their biggest customers. Action bag now employ 700 people, and our regular orders have helped them to develop a unique producer benefit scheme where yearly profits are shared amongst producers, loans are available at low interest and legal aid and medical cover are available.
Joshna began working for Action Bag 10 years ago when she was abandoned by her husband. When asked how Fair Trade makes a difference to her, she said:
"I could earn only 50% of what I earn at Action Bag and I would have to get a job as a housemaid. There is no other work in this area. I am treated with great respect and work at home which suits me"
She has been able to put her nieces through school, and using her share of Action Bag's yearly profits she's rebuilt the roof on her house, which cost the equivalent of five months salary.
Using Jute, one of Bangladesh most abundant natural resources and a good deal of resourcefulness Action Bag has transformed the lives of hundreds of former refugees. Please support this incredible company by recycling in style with their jute products.
