This trade relationship is currently not active. (status of 2022)

 

Profile of CONTIGO´s partner Manila Welcome

Supply chain

Trading Partner: Manila Welcome
Function: Producer
Structure: Own production plant, affiliated producers
Tradeway: Import via KINTA/NL

Products

Painted capiz products made of capiz shell

Location

Carmona in the province of Cavite, Philippines – distance to Europe: 10,100km

Founded in 1989

History

• 1989: Founding of Manila Welcome Industrial Corporation by Mrs. Huang
• Specialisation in the production of painted Capiz products
• Company starts with four employees: one seller, one driver and two CEOs
• Initially sharing a warehouse with other companies
• 1992: Company moves to a new bureau and production site
• In the following years the number of employees rises to 20 and the number of employees of the producer groups to 30
• Manila Welcome becomes leading company in decorated capiz products in the Philippines
• 2005: CONTIGO meets Manila Welcome
• 2007: Construction of an own plant
• 2009: Retreatment of Mrs. Huang, daughter Yii Shin Huang Chun takes over
• 2009/2010: Collapse of sales, redirection of sales and marketing strategy, concentration on core competences (decorating capiz products), outsourcing of lamination and forming
• 2014-2016: Entry to new markets (Australia and China), special focus on design department by increasing work force, trainings in new techniques and spezial computer programs

Cooperation with CONTIGO since 2005

Structure of the business

Number of employees:

38 employees (14 women and 24 men)

• 5 people in administration
• 7 people in the warehouse and quality control
• 19 employees in production – receive piece wage
• 7 people for design, product development, cutting patterns (this work is very time-consuming, can be taken home, paid by piece, in great demand by production employees as an extra income)

On demand (e.g. good order situation): cooperation with 7 „sub-contractors“

• Tasks: decorating / spraying of Capiz products
• Due to quality aspects, all „sub-contractors“ work on-site (of Manila Welcome)
• Receive piece rate wage

Organisation of workforce:

• Blank products are delivered from external suppliers
• They will be sprayed and decorated with complex hand cut patterns at Manila Welcome
• Designers teach other employees in spraying techniques and cutting patterns
• Weekly meetings in every department

Work environment:

Production site is divided in the following areas:

• Bureau: administration, product development, show room, kitchen, three sleeping spaces (often used by women in case of overtime work)
• Manufacturing hall: sample maker, production, quality control, packing
• Warehouse: raw materials, cardboard packaging, products ready for export

Sales

• Exports (100%) to Germany, Japan, U.S.A., France, Netherlands, China and Australia

Goals

• To reach a stable economical result by quality assurance and product innovations
• To expand the number of employees
• To improve staff management (e.g. by team building measures)

Special features

Why does CONTIGO work with Manila Welcome: The company relies on quality and design in order to sustain its position in a difficult branch. CONTIGO wants to support the good work of Manila Welcome to preserve craftsmanship, vocational training and safe jobs.

Fairtrade classification

FTA = Fairtrade Approved

Fairtrade aspects

Manila Welcome 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

• Minimum wage in the region: PHP 362,50/day (PHP=Philippine Peso)
• Salary and pay-out at Manila Welcome: average:
  • Salaried employees: PHP 480/day, cash payment every 2 weeks
  • Employees with piece wage: average PHP 362,50/day, with huge orders  it can go up to PHP 700/day, cash payment every week

• Overtime is paid
• Bonus: 13th  monthly salary
• Extra payments for good job performance

Humane working conditions

Working hours:

• 10.5 hours/day (7.30 am to 18.00 pm)
• 2 long breaks
• 5 days/week (Monday – Friday)
  At the request of the female employees, Manila Welcome works only on 5 days (instead of 6 days which is more common in the Philippines). The weekend stays for the family !

Social benefits:

• Paid holidays (10 days)
• Continued payment of wage in case of sickness or accident
• Contributions to health insurance (PhilHealth) and social security system (SSS)
• Contributions to national pension fund „Pag-IBIG“ = Home Development Mutual Fund (loans for housing, other multipurpose loans)
• Birthday leave – voluntarily given by Manila Welcome (not statutory)

Educational opportunities:

• Thorough initial training for all new employees
• Painters without experience are trained by a supervisor and colleagues for one month
• Internal measures to build a strong team with a good togehterness, one-to-one-talk, group discussions, suggestion box, events

Occupational safety:

All safety standard are met:

• Protective clothing and mask
• Fire extinguisher
• Marked emergency exits
• First Aid kits
• Modern sanitary facilities
• Modern ventilated facilities

Transparency

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

Monitoring

• Personal visits in Carmona (2010, 2016)

Country information

See Encyclopaedia Britannica: Philippines

 

Photos

Visiting Manila Welcome in Carmona (2016):