From The Earth Awarded World Fair Trade
Status
AMMAN – October 1, 2012 -- For
the first time, a company in Jordan has received certification from the World
Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), an entity that monitors and recognizes
businesses that create opportunities for disadvantaged people.
From The Earth, founded and operating in Amman
since 2008, produces handmade crafts sold in Jordan, Europe, Canada and the USA.
All items are produced by local artisans and sold through 50 Amman retailers and
on Amazon.com.
“We are grateful to be recognized for our efforts to
alleviate poverty in this region by paying fair wages, treating each person
with the utmost respect, and helping our employees and suppliers improve their
quality of life,“ said Jonathan Hankin, From
The Earth’s founder and general manager.
From The
Earth started as a producer of handmade greeting cards, but today has
15 Jordanian employees and a product line of 400 items. Specialties are handmade olive wood
products, such as jewelry, kitchen products, chopsticks, cheeseboards, figurines
and other items.
“Being an outlet for artisans who have little or no
opportunity to market their products is one way From The Earth benefits our Jordanian community,” Hankin said. “Many small producers do not have a network to sell
their products at competitive prices, and we extend their reach from small
villages to international markets.”
“Our employees are given equal treatment in terms of salary, leadership,
and promotion opportunities,” he said.
“They are paid above the national minimum wage, work in a safe and
healthy environment, and receive training in English and other subjects through
our in-house university. Our motto
is: ‘A Valuable Life Behind Each Product’ and we see these lives every day.”
From The Earth received notification of
its status from Carola Reintjes, WFTO chief executive in Culemborg, The
Netherlands. Among the 10
principles of fair trade include:
- Creating opportunities for the economically disadvantaged;
- Transparency and accountability;
- Payment of a fair wage;
- No child labor or forced labor; and
- Environmental sustainability.
“Our olive wood products are made from olive tree trimmings gleaned
after the olive harvest,” Hankin added. “We are proud that this process contributes to the
sustainability of Jordanian olive groves.”
Products also are sold at the firm’s showroom in Bayader Wadi El Seer in
Amman.
For more information, visit www.ftehome.com.
To view our latest products, visit our YouTube page!
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