Fair trade is a type of trade where producers of the South and consumers of the North are on equal footing. The main purpose is to improve the lives of the producers, through payment of a fair wage to the producers and preparing a just work environment.
The first attempt to do fair trade is thought to be in 1946 by an American woman (named Edna Ruth Byler), where handicrafts bought from Puerto Rican women were sold in the United States from out of the trunk of her car.In the 1960s, in European countries such as England and the Netherlands, support for developing countries started through sales of handicrafts and sugar.
Shapla Neer started selling handicrafts from Bangladesh in 1974. We are probably the first organization that started fair trade in Japan.
In 2003, with the dream to create smiles all over the world by linking those who produce and those who consume through fair trade, Shapla Neer named its fair trade work as Craftlink.
Products of Craftlink
At Craftlink, besides products from Bangladesh, we sell handicrafts from Nepal.
Making handicrafts or soap is something that women can do at home, or near the home, so the work can be done along with child rearing and house work. At the same time, embroidery, weaving, and knitting are often techniques that are handed down from mother to daughter, so the work is familiar, and allows the women to feel more confident.
Fair trade shops all over Japan
Craftlink products can be bought directly from 250 stores all over Japan. Please drop by a store near you.
We also have a packet of information for those who would like to sell our products in your store. Please contact us for this information.