Safety Nets for Artisans
The fair trade movement came to Indonesia during the 1990s, when a number of craftspeople and artisans realized that the concept could provide a fortuitous merger between business and social welfare, which could lead to sustained economic growth. They established a fair trade movement among their communities. True enough, when the financial crisis hit Europe and the USthe northern markets for their productsand put a dent on their orders, they were ready with innovative and creative solutions. Tempo English reports on such efforts from the islands of Bali and Lombok, ahead of World Fair Trade Day on May 11.
May 7, 2013
Mitra Bali, Pioneer
A Balinese nobleman initiated a fair trade organization on the Island of a Thousand Gods. Today, 20 of the artisans have opened their own shops.
It is approaching dusk at Ni Wayan Meitri's house in Lod Tunduh, Ubud. More than 10 artisans have come to deliver the abstract wood carvings the 37-year-old woman has ordered. She will sell the sculptures to Mitra Bali Fair Trade, which in turn will export them to the United States. They
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