Actions Against Child Labour in the Indian Carpet Industry

Supporting the local community

Now you can indulge in beautiful design carpets from India while simultaneously contributing to children's welfare matters. The Indian carpet producer Vasons & Vasons, located in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, is a member of the government foundation working for the improvement of children's conditions of life. (For Child Welfare; Carpet Export Promotion Council-India)

www.indiancarpets.com

The aim of the foundation is a total elimination of child labour in the carpet industry, and the carpet production is continuously supervised so as to make sure there is no child labour involved at any stage of the production. Members of the foundation also donate a certain amount of the export to a Child Welfare Fund operated by NGOs. This fund is involved in various development projects, such as establishing schools and providing educational assistance, funding of mid-day meals and supplying medical care facilities to children.

In the small town of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh in India, MBTM-Products Ltd takes part in a social project that is geared towards single mothers. In 2007 we bought second hand sewing machines that were then distributed among single mothers in Mirzapur and surroundings, which is also where our carpets are produced. Shortly after, we introduced our linen and silk bedspread collection. The result and positive response we got was overwhelming. Today, the women confidently produce these bedspreads and cushion covers.

These simple machines now help the women earn a living and, what is more, they and their children can continue to live in the village. In developing countries, mass migration from the countryside to urban centres in search for a job often results in widening the poverty gap rather than narrowing it.

Conscious of the enormous differences that exist between developed and developing countries, we want to contribute in a way that doesn’t see us enforcing any so-called development truths on the people. Instead, our project is a true micro project, but despite its smallness in scale it touches the lives of many. In addition, by doing everything on the grassroots level we minimize administrative costs and maximise the transparency.