Working with Freeset – a Fairtrade business

If you have purchased one of our resources, chances are you have a Talking Mats bag. Last week, I went to West Bengal in India to visit Freeset, the Fairtrade business that supplies our bags.
West Bengal has been recording a high crime rate against women over the past several years. The state shares a border with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan and has become a transit route for human trafficking.
Freeset has set up a number of business units in Kolkata and West Bengal targeting vulnerable communities marked by extreme poverty. Freeset offers employment to women who are at risk and is committed to providing fair, living wages and a healthy working environment for all employees. Wages are above the national minimum and all staff receive training , healthcare, child care and savings plans.
I was privileged to spend some time with the women listening to their stories, meeting their children and hearing how Freeset is bringing them a brighter future.
Read about the difference Freeset has made to individuals here

Talking Mats is proud to support the work of Freeset and be part of making a difference to the lives of women in West Bengal. If you are looking for ideas of how to support Fairtrade during Fairtrade fortnight here are some suggestions