What She Makes - Securing a Living Wage for Garment Workers

Last year saw the launch of the What She Makes campaign from Oxfam – with the goal of securing living wages for garment workers in developing countries. 

A living wage is one that supports the basic necessities of life - shelter, food and water, along with other essentials such as healthcare, education and a small amount to save towards the future.  Unfortunately the majority of garment workers continue to be trapped in poverty, disempowered and overworked; with few companies and major brands committed to making the changes towards a living wage.

In our shop we support fair trade enterprises that have been paying a living wage and allowing women and children to access education and basic health services – from Bangladesh, Thailand to Laos and as a far as Paraguay. They also provide a path for traditions and cultures to live on – and over the next few posts we will be sharing these fair trade products and stories with you.  

World Fair Trade Day 2017

World Fair Trade Day is on again this Saturday, the 13^th of May. 

The theme this year is Agents of Change – showing how anyone, producers, those in the supply chain, policy makers, advocates and consumers can support fair trade and sustainable development. 

And while fair trade has seen its global influence and local successes grow over the last decade, there is still a long way to go in ending the social disadvantages faced by producers and communities in developing countries due to their marginalization and exploitation in the world marketplace.

Our Fair Trade WA Oxfam shop in Bayswater will be open this Saturday and is celebrating World Fair Trade Day, with a forecourt market and sausage sizzle.

Come and see the range of fair trade chocolates, coffee and tea, condiments, handicrafts, jewellery, children’s toys and a lot more, learning about the stories behind the products and supporting the people and communities that produced them.  

Harmony Day

Harmony Day is celebrated on the 21^st of March.

Australia’s cultural diversity is formally recognized and promoted on this day.  Harmony day is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.  It is a day for all Australians to embrace cultural diversity and to share what we have in common.  The central message for Harmony Day is that ‘everyone belongs’, reinforcing the importance of inclusiveness to all Australians.

Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. Multicultural Australia is an integral part of our nation’s history and character.

Since 1999, more than 65 000 Harmony Day events and activities have been celebrated across Australia, from the smallest childcare centers to the largest businesses.   What event or activity have you taken part in for Harmony Day? To see events around you, why not browse http://www.harmony.gov.au/

In the Fair Trade Shop we have stocks from all over the world to promote and encourage diversity within our local communities which can extend out to the greater world.  

Close the Gap is Australia's largest ever campaign to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Close the Gap campaign was launched in 2006 and seeks:

1. implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive National Action Plan (developed in partnership with Indigenous communities and health organisations)
2.  meaningful partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and health services
3.  improvements to Indigenous participation, control and delivery of health services
4. a commitment to provide adequate and long-term financial resources including strengthening of the Indigenous health workforce
5. a way to address critical social issues that impact Indigenous health (including poor housing, nutrition, employment and education)

The campaign's goal is to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation. The campaign is built on evidence that shows that significant improvements in the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can be achieved within short time frames.

It seems hard to believe, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are still dying 10 to 17 years younger than other Australians.  The poorer health of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when compared to the non-Indigenous population is no secret – and something can be done about it. 

By joining our efforts we can make sure that by 2030 every Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child born in this country has the same opportunity as other Australian children to live a long, healthy and happy life.

Everyone can make a difference.  One way of making a difference is through supporting Aboriginal Enterprises within the Fair Trade Shop.  

You can also sign Oxfam’s pledge; https://act.oxfam.org/australia/close-the-gap-pledge

For more information: https://www.oxfam.org.au/what-we-do/indigenous-australia/national-close-the-gap-day/

or 

http://www.australianstogether.org.au/stories/detail/the-gap-indigenous-disadvantage-in-australia

International Mother Language Day

A language is more than just words and sounds. Through language we can understand one another’s culture, heritage and ethnicity. And today Australia is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries. There are over 200 languages spoken in Australia, and of these around 50 are indigenous languages. However these are only spoken by approximately 0.3% of our population, therefore preserving and developing these languages is critical to sustaining the traditions of Australia’s indigenous past.

Likewise literacy is a key instrument in lifting people out of poverty, whether through securing employment or accessing adequate health and education services. Many of the producers that we support at the Oxfam Fair Trade WA shop direct their profits into programs aimed at sustaining the languages that underpin the culture of a society.

TARA Projects, an artisan based community in India offers adult literacy classes to its members, empowering women into enterprise, overcoming poverty and exploitation. They create a range of decorative ornaments and jewellery, many of which you can see in our shop.

MAI Handicrafts originated with the goal of providing informal literacy classes to disadvantaged children who could not afford to go to school in Vietnam. Through producing their handicrafts, they have been able to expand their aims into tying social development into economic self-reliance. 

New stock!

New stock has arrived from Penh Lane. Beautifully soft silk scarves and playful jewellery. If you are in Bayswater for brunch, lunch or coffee pop in