Banjusap's Blog

COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: Working women & raw materials at Banjusap

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PR Log (Press Release) Chiangmai, Thailand – May 8, 2010 – In a region where the exploitation of labor and resources runs rampant, Banjusap, a leader in Thailand’s craft supply export industry, takes the reins in modeling socially and environmentally responsible behavior for other fellow export companies to follow. 

Banjusap has consistently argued that its success comes not only from quality products and the ability to meet the demands of western markets, but also from their ability to improve the lives of women [their entire manufacturing team is composed of women] and focusing on products which come from natural, renewable local resources. 

Iris International, an organization for the realization of women’s human rights, says the status of women in Thailand has increased dramatically over the past decade; however, working conditions, relative pay, job security and safety have been, in many cases, deteriorating.  With respect to the export industry, poor working conditions for women are well documented and cost-cutting remains central to their operations.  Since 2004, Banjusap has been setting the example for the export sector in Thailand by employing a workforce of over 35 women in a clean and safe working environment, receiving pay rates at least 30 percent higher than employees at its competitors, and providing all team members with health insurance and voluntary overtime opportunities for additional income.  Banjusap founder, Tad Lague, said: 

“Everything depends on our team and they are a part of our family.  I’ve witnessed working conditions at other places and it’s a dreadful existence with ridiculously low pay, long hours, and horrible conditions – not to mention the less desirable jobs in the city.  We are better than that.  These women are our family… and they deserve better.” 

 While improving the lives of women in the workforce, Banjusap also spearheads the effort to supply the world’s crafting markets with paper products and flowers all made from one thing: Mulberry paper.  The Mulberry tree offers a bark which is ideal for producing specialty handmade papers.  Each harvested Mulberry tree is able to regenerate its bark within a 12 month period leaving it intact and able to continue playing its role in our ecosystem they way it was intended to.  All Mulberry papers are made by hand and used in special cutting and production processes.  Banjusap recycles all scraps to be 100 percent reused in the handmade Mulberry paper production process. 

Founded in 2004 and located in Chiangmai, Thailand, Banjusap Export Company [Banjusap] manufactures a wide range of eco-friendly, handmade Mulberry paper flowers, leaves and packaged paper crafting kits for resellers throughout North America, Europe, Africa and Australia. 

For further information please contact Mr. Tad Lague at +66 (0) 819506862 email tad@banjusap.com or visit the website at www.banjusap.com.

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An original version of this press release can be found online at http://www.prlog.org/10668430-commitment-to-social-and-environmental-responsibility-working-women-and-raw-materials-at-banjusap.html