Ethical
Here at moral fibre we are committed to doing all that we can to ensure that as many people as possible benefit in a sustainable way from our company & the products we create.
moral fibre only sources ETHICALLY GROWN and ETHICALLY SEWN fabrics.
We celebrate that over the last decade consumers have begun asking more questions about the products they are buying. While price and quality remain the primary reasons motivating consumer choice, other factors are now playing an increased role in influencing these decisions.
Many consumers are asking:
- Where was it made?
- Under what conditions?
- Was child labour involved?
- Is it environmentally friendly?
In a bid to set tangible parameters around our ethical expectations, moral fibre only works with companies that are licensed & audited by a recognized and reputable organization, such as Fairtrade, Fairwear Foundation & WRAP.
Farmers - sewing the seeds of change
We secure our organic Fairtrade cotton from Fairtrade certified sources in India and have our ginning, weaving and manufacturing undertaken by organizations who share our values and commitment to making trade fairer for all involved.
Our Organic Fairtrade cotton is provided by an organization in India that works with 180 small scale farmers and is currently training 125 students in organic sustainable farming methods.
When they buy cotton from the farmers, they pay an 8% premium. If there are no immediate buyers they store the cotton in their cotton bank at their own cost until it is sold. They also arrange for the organic certification of the cotton on behalf of the individual farmers.
They have developed natural farming methods and natural pesticides to control the pests. Farmers use chilli, garlic and soap instead of expensive and harmful chemicals, saving the farmers up to 3000 rupees (US$75.00) per acre.
At this organization the women are paid the same as the men - which is a rarity - and they all receive a pension, health insurance and good medical facilities.
All of our products are manufactured in premises that are audited to monitor their ethical practices, by either Fairtrade or the Fairwear Foundation.
Our Fairtrade cotton products are manufactured by a non-profit rehabilitation program in Southern India. The company is the first of its kind and it is run by nuns, where young women are employed who are economically disadvantaged, have disabilities or are considered unfit for marriage by their families.
The organization has a workforce of around 120 women who are given employment, training and support. Their employees are paid above the standard wage, given free accommodation, water and electricity and help towards paying their dowries and a lump sum paid after five years of employment to start a home. They care not only for the cotton but also for all of the women they work with. The Sisters take great pride in managing the production process with love and respect.
