This trade relationship is currently not active.

 

Profile of CONTIGO´s partner LC Ceramics

Products

Ceramics

Location

Hanoi, Vietnam – distance to Europe: 8,600km

Founded in 1982

History

• 1982: LC Ceramics is founded in Bat Trag, a place with a long tradition of ceramic production (once manufacturing tiles for the royal palace; the king settled craftsmen there; “Bat” means key, “Trang” means workshop)
• Ceramic workshop has been in operation for 8 generations
• Current manager Nguyen Van Loi is the grandson of the legendary Nguyen Thanh Chau, who was given an award by the former emperor
• Him and his wife Pham Thi Minh Chau are skilled and well-known ceramics artists themselves
• Range of LC Ceramics products includes not only modern designs but also uses traditional patterns
• 2010: CONTIGO receives a tip from GIZ (German Agency for International Development Cooperation)
• CONTIGO immediately visits the site
• However, orders become less and some people are laid off
• LC Ceramics produces high quality products for export
• LC Ceramics has been expanding its presence in the local market (goal: 50% of production for export, other 50% for local market)
• Very modern kiln was bought
• Son Tung manages his graphic design and packaging company in the premises of the parent’s business

Cooperation with CONTIGO since 2011

Structure of the business

Number of employees:

• 15 employees
• 10 part-time employees

(12 women and 13 men)

Sales

• Home market (5%)
• Exports (95%) to France, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, U.S.A., Germany

Goals

• To increase the popularity of LC Ceramics on the international market
• To continuously guarantee high quality
• To develop a product line for the local market to decrease dependency on export

Special features

Why does CONTIGO work with LC Ceramics: CONTIGO was looking for a professional partner for their tea pots collection, which they found in LC Ceramics.

 

Fairtrade classification

FTA = Fairtrade Approved

 

Fairtrade aspects

LC Ceramics 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 wage in the sector/region: US$100/month
• Wages LC Ceramics:
  • Employees: US$250-500/month
  • Part-time employees: US$150-200/month
  • This basic salary will be topped up with additional by-piece payments for orders with high quantities
• Higher wages in case of overtime

Humane working conditions

Working hours:

• 8 hours/day
• 1 break (1 hour)

Social benefits:

• Paid holidays
• Continued payment of age in case of sickness or accident
• Health insurance (10% of salary is reserved for medical treatment)
• One 4- to 5-day long vacation is paid for by LC Ceramics per year

Educational opportunities:

• Various trainings

Occupational safety:

• Protective clothing 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 Hanoi (2010, 2012, 2015)

 

Country information

See Encyclopaedia Britannica: Vietnam

 

Photos