Profile of CONTIGO´s partner Victori

Supply chain

Tradin Partner: Victori Arts & Crafts, microenterprise
Function: producer
Structure: own production plant
Tradeway: Import via KINTA/NL

Products

Houseware and living accessories made of acacia wood

Location

City Bayambang, province Pangasinán, Luzon island, Philippines – distance to Europe: 10,00km

Founded in 2017

History

• Maria Lourdes de la Cruz Endriga, called Malou, has been working in wood processing production for 15 years; her last position was production manager at a wood workshop which has been working with the Dutch Fairtrade organisation Kinta for many years
• 2017: Kinta encourages Malou and her husband Bobby to set up their own workshop by moving to the wooded province of Pangasinán and modernising an old chicken farm
• 2021: investments in its workshop buildings, additional roofs

Cooperation with CONTIGO since 2018

Structure of the business

Number of employees: 

• Managing Director: Maria Lourdes de la Cruz Endriga, called Malou
• 36 full-time employees (7 women, 29 men), who work alternately in different departments
  • In production: 7 women, 23 men
  • In quality control: 4 men
  • In administration: 2 men

Work environment:

For quality reasons, all production steps are carried out on the company premises, partly in open shelters.

The equipment and production processes in the different departments were inspected for safety.

Sales

• Exports (100%) to Netherlands and Germany

 

Fairtrade classification

FTP = Fairtrade in Progress, workshop has just been founded, no visit of CONTIGO as yet

 

Fairtrade aspects

Victori 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 wages region Ilocos / province Pangasinán: PHP 350-500/day, depending on company size (PHP = Philippine Peso)
• Salaries at Victori:
  • Un-skilled employees: PHP 356-500/day
  • Skilled employees: PHP 500-700/day
  • Employees in administration and quality control receive fixed salaries
  • Employees in production receive piece rated salaries
• Weekly payment in cash
• 13th monthly salary
• Bonus payments
  • weekly incentive for the best in quality (PHP 500)
  • after finishing orders
• Overtime is remunerated in accordance with statutory regulations (on working days: +25%, on holidays: +30%)

Humane working conditions

Working hours:

• 8 hours/day
• Regular breaks for snacks and lunch
• 6 days/week

Social benefits:

• Paid leave (15 days)
• Continued payment of wage in case of sickness or accidents
• Contributions to health insurance (Philhealth) and social security system (SSS)
• Free accomondation
• For new employees: travel expenses and (if required) cash advances
• In case of emergency: advance cash payments for family matters
• For a pleasant work climate: birthday cake, summer party, Christmas celebrations

Ocupational safety:

• Work and safety clothing (e.g. breathing masks, face shields, gloves, safety glasses) are provided
• All safety standards are met

Transparency

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

 

Monitoring

• Regular visits to Bayambang by the Dutch Fairtrade Organization Kinta

 

Country information

See Encyclopaedia Britannica: Philippines