RUGMARK, the world-wide operating initiative for carpets manufactured without illegal
child labour, is continuously successful in Germany. At the Domotex, the most important
carpet fair world-wide, news reader Dagmar Berghoff will present today the 1.5 millionth
carpet with a RUGMARK label sold in Germany. Dagmar Berghoff, who - as a symbol of the
consumer`s commitment - will hand over the carpet to the German consumer initiative
"Verbraucher-Initiative", said: "I`am delighted about the success of the
RUGMARK initiative and hope that committed consumers will keep on turning over the
carpets and opt for one with a RUGMARK label."
RUGMARK`s success shows that the buyers of RUGMARK carpets agree with the conception of
contributing to the improvement of the situation in the carpet-producing countries by
means of ther consuming habits. Along with the major relief an charitable institutions and
Germany`s carpet business, these consumers have contributed to a reduction of child labour
in the carpet industry of India and Nepal and to provide alternatives for the children
released from the looms.RUGMARK means controls and social projects
The RUGMARK label marks carpets from India, Nepal and Pakistan that have been manufactured
without child labour. Strict regulations apply. A carpet dealer only qualifies for
labelling if it can be guaranteed that there is no illegal child labour. RUGMARK
inspections are being conducted at random and without previous notice. Each carpet
receives its own serial number that allows tracing it back to its loom.
In RUGMARK schools and rehabilitation centres, former child labourers learn how to read,
write and calculate. For many of them it is the first time in their life that they can
play an do sports. The older ones learn a handicraft. However, RUGMARK creates not only a
chance for the future of the "carpet children", but also for their families.
Step by step, the grown-ups are being integrated into the healthcare system and made
familiar with learning training programmes.
RUGMARK: a powerful alliance
RUGMARK is being supported by the producers, the committed carpet business and world-wide
operating relief and charitable institutions. About 300 carpet manufacturers and exporters
have a license agreement. In Germany, 35 carpet importers and traders offer RUGMARK
carpets - major chains as well as the conventional carpet stores. RUGMARK Germany`s public
relations work is being funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and the
Federal Agency for Technical Cooperation ("Gesellschaft f�r technische
Zusammenarbeit - gtz"). The relief and charitable institutions "Bread for the
World", "Misereor", "terre des hommes" and "Unicef"
support the RUGMARK initiative. This powerful alliance enables the control of already more
than 30.000 looms. In India more than 25 per cent of all looms are being inspected for
their compliance with RUGMARK criteria - in Nepal even more than 50 per cent.
RUGMARK is looking for additional partners
While the committed carpet industry already contributes to the reduction of child labour
in the carpet industry, many of the major furniture and carpet stores still do not
participate in the RUGMARK idea. However, RUGMARK aims at integrating more companies in
the joint initiative against child labour and asks furniture stores and shopping malls to
include carpets with the RUGMARK label into their range of products.
Co-operation between RUGMARK and TRANSFAIR
In January 1999, RUGMARK and TRANSFAIR were united under one roof. TRANSFAIR, the
association for the promotion of fair trade with "ThirdWorld countries", has
been able to proof during the past seven years that ethical responsibility, consumption
and quality go well together. "Conscious decisions made by the consumers result in
impressing impacts in the producer`s countries", is how Dieter Overath, manager
of TRANSFAIR and RUGMARK Germany characterises the success of the two labelling
initiatives. If the 1.5 million RUGMARK carpets were lined up, a row of 3.600 km would
result, considering the average carpet length of 2,4 m. This way, half the distance
between Germany and India could be covered with RUGMARK carpets. "During the next
couple of years, we aim at reaching India an thus complete the symbolic bridge between the
families at the looms in India and the carpet buyers in Germany" says Mr Overath. |
