Nusantara Stone Mosaics™ are designed and produced to comply with the highest standards of environmental responsibility and fair, ethical trade practices. Our Canadian/ Indonesian business partnerships have become friendships and have grown deep roots, as one would expect after more than 6 years of working together on the development of Nusantara Stone Mosaics™.
We believe that our fair trade relationship is making a positive and lasting difference in peoples lives. The wages paid, Family Health and Community Housing polices we help to foster allows our Indonesian partners meet their families goals and allows them more self determination over their futures. Our ability to bring the local community into the global marketplace gives people the ability to plan for the future with confidence. We have created a new international multi-cultural business development model that links not only our partner’s dreams for the future but our end customer’s ethical values, eco-protection principles as well as unmatched standards of quality and service.
Our trading and development focus moves beyond the standard fair trade criteria and has become an integration of both our Indonesian and North American business ethics. We strive to be a social and business model for the economic recovery and resource sustainability of the region. Using our own local management we self regulate to protection standards set by Indonesia’s Ministries of the Environment as well as the licensing and aggressive environmental protection requirements established for the hand harvest of BeachStone by the Indonesia’s Ministry of Mining & Natural Resources. Working within these progressive regulations we have shown that providing the safest, cleanest and most comfortable working conditions possible for our employees and their Families is clearly conducive to building a win-win, profitable business model for the future.
All products shipped to North America from the production facilities in Indonesia are paid for in advance. We also provide consultation for our Indonesian trade partners, teaching how to expand international market penetration through brand development and product differentiation techniques for Nusantara Stone Mosaics™.
From the beginning our multi-cultural business structure has been developed keeping the best interests and welfare of everyone involved in the harvest of the beach stones, all phases of transportation, production, warehousing, sales and marketing to heart. Employment policies are designed to create a healthy happy company with a low turnover rate and a high level of employee satisfaction both in Indonesia and Canada.
The high quality of our unique products (waste attrition rate of less than ½ of 1%) is the result of a training program that builds skills in design and production techniques. Men and women are treated and paid equally. There is no child labor used in any part of our production and transport facilities.
We are very sensitive to the cultures and traditions of the country and the individuals with whom we work. Some of the areas we harvest were the hardest hit in the 2004 tsunami. The respect for the families and their particular needs are at the top of our collective minds. To work effectively within the Indonesian culture and local social conditions, some jobs are assigned to the family where members can give each other relief for child care and other family needs. We provide pre and post natal support and time off, daily hot meals and many ceremonial days off as the culture requires. We provide emergency housing and medical needs to employees and their family members. Our pay scale is higher than the regional average.
As our business grows, so will our positive influence in the region. We hope to serve as an example for other business groups working within the Indonesian (Nusantara) Archipelago.
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Our Principles of Fair Trade
In keeping with International Fair Trade Standards and extending the ethics and values to our buyers we:
- create opportunities for economic growth and sustainability.
Our employees on average support three other people within their families and communities. We avoid mechanized processes to create the widest possible long term employment opportunities. Communities that feel secure about their futures contribute greatly to the sustained growth of the region.
- maintain Transparency and accountability
Our business relationships involve transparent management and commercial operations. Our suppliers have been integrated into our business family.
- work to build capacity and market penetration for the good of the group:
We actively assist our Indonesian partners in trying to expand their business into other international markets. Plans and strategies focus on long range growth and sustainability.
- pay fair prices, wages and bonuses:
Our rate of pay and prices paid for materials are regionally fair plus a premium to ensure consistent quality and supply. This policy not only helps us build a better product, but creates a sustained local micro- economy.
- guarantee gender equity
The work of men and women is equally valued and rewarded. Maternity leave is available to both men and women. An atmosphere of mutual respect naturally occurs throughout the entire harvest and production process.
- promote safe working conditions
We have created a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. The culture we work within does not allow for the exploitation and mistreatment of children. Children are a welcomed element of the workplace with their comfort and safety a primary concern.
- protect the environment
The environmental life-cycle of our products and production process is closely monitored and improvements are implemented whenever possible.
- embrace cultural and religious diversity
Within the Nusantara family are a variety of different cultural and religious groups both Indigenous and supplanted Harmony within the management and staff of the Nusantara family is a natural occurrence that benefits all involved.
- trade fairly – A two way street of buying
and selling
We pay for products fairly and often pay a premium. But we also sell fairly. We believe that it is not fair for the end user to bear the cost of a company’s fair trade policy. Higher costs to the consumer will result in reduced sales and ultimately lower the number of people we are able to support in Indonesia. Our ultimate goal is for everyone to benefit from our fair trade policy.
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