This trade relationship is currently not active.

Profile of CONTIGO´s partner Rajesh Shresta

Products

Scarves made of silk and wool

Location

Kathmandu, quarter: Khusibun, Nepal – distance to Europe: 6,700km

Founded in 1993

History

• 1993: Founding of M.R. Pashmina Industries by Rajesh Shresta, production of pashmina textiles and scarves (pashmina = cashmere wool)
• 1995: First contact to Dutch fairtrade importer Madat Nepal Handel
• 1998: Increasing success with pashmina and silk textiles in Europe
  2005/2006: Training of employees in environmentally friendly dyeing and further techniques of colour fusing by Dutch experts
• Founding of the subsidiary company Shoraj International for clothing range, both company parts work under one roof
• Starting from 2012: Both companies merge to Erisha International: bigger product mix depth, scarves and cloths, pashmina, wool and silk product ranges
• 2015-2017: Erisha International opens own shops in the touristic areas of Kathmandu (Thamel)

Cooperation with CONTIGO since 2006

Structure of the business

Number of employees:

26 employees (10 women and 16 men), everybody works full-time

Work environment and organisation:

Work division – departments:

• Production in Khusibun / Kathmandu
  • Yarn dyeing: 5 employees (2 women, 3 men)
  • Weaving: 4 employees (4 men), at 8 power looms
  • Knitting: 7 employees (2 women, 5 men)
• Showroom: 6 employees (3 women, 3 men)
• Warehouse: 2 employees (1 woman, 1 man)
• Administration: 2 female employees

Sales

• Home market (10%)
• Exports (90%) to Netherlands, Germany, U.S.A., Italy, Denmark, and Australia

Goals

• To grow the company further
• To create long-term jobs

Special features

Why does CONTIGO work with Rajesh Shresta: The company takes a lot of responsibility for its employees, pays school fees and good salaries. There are many reasons for a trade partnership in addition to the beautiful scarves.

 

Fairtrade classification

FTA = Fairtrade Approved

 

Fairtrade aspects

Rajesh Shresta complies with the following Fairtrade Principles:

No child labour

No discrimination

No discrimination due to gender, disability, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political orientation, or infection with HIV

Fair wages

• Average salaries in the sector/region: NPR (Nepalese Rupee)
  • Un-skilled / low-skilled employees: NPR 8,500 / month
  • High-skilled employees: NPR 15,000 / month
• Salaries at Rajesh Shresta:
  • Mix system:
    • Fixed salaries for employees in the production (dyeing), administration, warehouse, showroom
    • By-piece payment for employees in the production (weaving and knitting)
  • Salaries depend on field of responsibility, department, qualification and experience: between NPR 8,500 – 38,000 / month
• Monthly payment in cash
• Bonus payment for Dashain festival

Humane working conditions

Working hours:

• 6.5 hours/day
• Two breaks for lunch and a snack
• 6 days/week

Social benefits:

The company of Rajesh Shresta wrote a „social manifest“ which contains all social benefits for its employees:

1. When someone of the staff gets married he/she gets 5 days holiday and one month full salary. If it is  not enough he/she gets up to NPR 20,000 as an advance. It will be deducted later from their salary part by part at his/her convenience.
2. When staff gets sick, he/she  gets up to NPR 5,000 each year with doctor’s prescription. He/she also gets 15 days sick leave in one year.
3. There is a provision of holiday in major festivals. In Dashain 6 days, Tihar 3 days and other festivals 4 or 5 days.
4. If female staff gets pregnant, she gets two month maternity leave and the salary will be paid. If necessary advance up to NPR 20,000. It will be deducted later from their salary in installment basis.
5. Staff who has a problem in the family and cannot sustain by their salary,  the children’s school fees are sponsored by the company. Recently 5 children are sponsored by the company including the schooldress, books and accessories.
6. If staff’s wife or husband or child or parents are dead, he/she gets 15 days leave and one month free salary and if necessary also a soft loan up to NPR 20,000. It can be paid back later from their salary, part by part.
7. In Dashain Festival every staff gets a double salary.
8. If necessary Rajesh Shresta provides medical expenses.

 

Educational opportunities:

• Thourough initial trainings
   

Occupational safety:

• All safety standards are met
• Working gear and protective clothing is provided (ear protection, rubber boots and rubber gloves)
• Regular briefing in occupational safety

Transparency

• Work contracts are available
• Payroll is available
• SAR (Self Assessement Report) was duly submitted to CONTIGO

 

Monitoring

• Personal visits in Kathmandu (2009)
• A visit of the workshop is envisaged in March 2018

 

Country information

See Encyclopaedia Britannica: Nepal