Profile of CONTIGO´s partner Judith Lorna

Supply chain

Trading Partner: Judith Lorna
Function: Producer
Structure: Cooperation with associated producers
Tradeway: Import via KINTA/NL

Products

Handicrafts made of meliaceae (Mahagony family) and gmelina wood

Decorations made of capiz shell

Upcycling products made of papier- mâché

Location

City district Busay in Cebu City, Philippines – distance to Europe: 10,700m

Founded in 2013

History

• Judith Lorna Ypil graduated from the University of San Carlos in Cebu with a bachelor’s degree in economics
• She has over 25 years of professional experience in industry, export, international markets and their requirements
• 2010-2013: Judith Lorna Ypil works as the managing director at CONTIGO partner Capiz Shell (this company was closed at the end of 2018)
• 2013: Judith Lorna Ypil leaves the company due to economic and personal changes and founds her own business as a coordinator for various producer groups in the Cebu region. In the private house of the Ypils, the lower floor serves as a material and warehouse.
• Since 2015: Judith Lorna Ypil is supported in business by her husband and her daughter
• 2016: Expansion of the product range to include decorative and household articles made of papier-mâché; the production workshop is integrated into Judith Lorna’s private house

Cooperation with CONTIGO since 2014

Structure of the business

Number of employees in the main workshop:

• 7 full-time employees (4 woman and 3 men)
• 3 part-time employees (2 women and 1 man)

Departments and working areas in the main workshop:

• Central coordination of production, purchase of raw materials, quality control, warehousing, labelling and export for different small producer groups in Cebu
• Product development and sampling of new product ideas for „sub-contractors“
• Daily visits and meetings with the groups

Work environment: 

• Office, warehouse and workshop within the private house of Judith Lorna Ypil
• One floor as an appartment with free accommodation for employees with a long commute

Cooperation with producer groups outside (so-called „sub-contractors“)

Cooperation with 3 workshops for gmelina and mahagony wood products:

• Bonifacio Amaya – wood processing company with a total of 7 workshops
• Oliver de los Angeles – workshop with 6 employees
• William Cabanero – workshop with 1-2 family members

Cooperation with 3 workshops for Capiz products:

• Siony – handicraft business with 10 permanent employees and 10 part-time employees for Capiz decorations and home accessories
• Aurelio Cabrera – family-run business with 5-6 artisans, production of hand made capiz lamps
• Junriel Sucalit – workshop with 3 employees for Capiz home decorations

Cooperation with single artisans who are specialised in the production of different product parts or separate production steps (patterns)

These external workshops:

• receive either the raw materials (when required) or an advance payment to buy these
• price per unit is agreed with Judith Lorna Ypil (depends on production time and level of difficulty)
• Cash payment after delivery of products
• Regular visits, (if required) trainings and supervision of all production processes by Judith Lorna Ypil

Sales

• Exports (100%) to Netherlands, Germany

 

Goals

• To offer long-term perspectives and secure incomes for the artisans and their families: quality and innovation is the requirement and the main focus to a prospering and continous trade relationship
• To expand product range with more upcycling products
• To increase the production capacity to meet the increasing orders of various export products

Special features

Why does CONTIGO work with Judith Lorna Ypil: She symbolises a strong and reliable bridge between the different workshops in Cebu and the consumers in Europe. With her long-standing experiences and her skill for networking, she perfectly unites organisation, product competences and social commitment.

 

Fairtrade classification

FTA= Fairtrade Approved

 

Fairtrade aspects

Judith Lorna Ypil 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 Cebu region; for companies with 10 employees or less: PHP 376/day (PHP= Philippine Peso)
• For Judith Lorna Ypil´s employees: 
  • Fixed salaries, depending on area of responsibility between PHP 385 – 400/day
  • Plus: Travel allowance are covered (PHP 150/week)
• Weekly cash payment
• Voluntary bonus payments after completion of large orders, for good work performance and on birthdays
• Judith Lorna Ypil pays her permanent employees the statutory remuneration:
  • Payment of a 13th month’s salary
  • Overtime is remunerated in accordance with statutory regulations

Humane working conditions

Working hours:

• 8 hours/day
• 2 breaks for snacks, 1 hour break for lunch
• 6 days/week

Social benefits:

• Payment of contributions into the statutory insurances:
  • Health and social insurance (Philhealth and SSS)
  • National pension fund „pag-IBIG“ (= Home Development Mutual Fund, loans for housing or other multipurpose loans)
  • Judith Lorna Ypil pays both employer and employee contributions
• Voluntary by Judith Lorna Ypil: 
  • Paid leave (17 holidays and recreation days), continued payment of wage in case of sickness or accidents: due to her company size with 10 employees, Judith Lorna Ypil is exempt from the legal regulation to pay holidays or sick days, she grants it nevertheless
  • If required: financial support for medical treatment costs
  • Free meals (two snacks and lunch)
  • Free accommodation for employees with a long journey to the company

Educational opportunities:

• Training of employees in new techniques
• Participation in external seminars

Occupational safety:

• All safety standards are met
• Working and protective clothing are provided

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 Cebu City (2016)

 

Country information

See Encyclopaedia Britannica: Philippines

 

Photos