Social Impacts Of International Handicrafts (2021)

All around the world, handmade products are produced by many different people. However, not every creative artisan labourer is given equal opportunity for work and profit. After a brief talk with Angélica Elisa, of a Handmade Startup, she made the following on the nature of artisan labour: “Artisans have a really huge problem when we are talking about international scale, and also with big chains that sometimes buy and distribute the product with no fair price.” With the internet becoming a prime location for communication, trade and partnerships, these handicrafters in developing countries should be able to find a fair partnership with clients in the west. Regardless of whether they are a big chain or a small business. Yet, western societies and businesses have not figured out a way to sustainably support these handicrafters. But what can you do as a business to solve this problem? And why should you even care about this issue as a business? Let’s first start by discussing the current situation of the handicrafts sector in developing countries and then we will look at why you should do something about it as a business and what exactly you can do.

Handicraft Sector of 2021

Even as we go through the process of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the handicraft sectors have not been doing so well. 

Anuradha Pati (2020) has mentioned that artisans and weavers are the third largest segment among the poor. However, most of their products are “non-essential” during the pandemic. This is why the situation for the handicrafts sector has slowly been drowned out as every country has been focusing on the easing of lockdown and recovery from COVID.

As a summary of the situation, lockdowns have been harsh to businesses that take care of these handicrafters. It has stopped its production completely, either due to the impacts of social distancing or the difficulty of purchasing its raw materials.

Alongside the production side, their sales did not fare any better. They found it difficult to get more exhibitions or orders, which resulted in a huge pile-up of unsold inventory.

What does this mean for the actual handicrafters? 

They were forced to have fewer working days and a fall in their wages. Since this was during the pandemic, they found it hard to continue to support their families with the necessities they required and essentials to be safe from the coronavirus.

In other words, the handloom and handicraft artisans have been going through the hardest and longest struggle for survival with no hope in sight.

However, the light at the end of the tunnel for the coronavirus is almost in sight and soon, we can take the steps to assist these handicrafters. Let's explore how we can take action!

The SDGs of Handicraft Trade

By purchasing handcrafted goods, western businesses could contribute towards the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). Meanwhile, the handicrafters in developing countries can receive work and recover from their harsh situation during the pandemic.

Angélica Elisa made an article that explains her view on the direct links between handcrafts and the SDGs. She has suggested Gender equality (goal 5) and Decent Work and Economic growth (goal 8) as the primary direct links. However, she did state that all SDGs are linked, whether directly or indirectly.

Knowing the situation about the handicraft sector, I want to take the time to explore two important SDGs. In particular, No poverty (Goal 1) and Partnerships for the goals (Goal 17). We shall explore these goals in the paragraphs below.

No poverty (SDG 1)

As we have understood, the handicraft artisan is suffering from a lack of work and income. To be more precious, their businesses find it difficult to support their artisans when they are unable to make sales through orders or exhibitions. This situation resulted in many individuals falling back into poverty.

By connecting directly with western consumers, work and income are provided to the handicraft artisans. This can be thought of as creating demand so the supply can produce. As we recover from lockdown, people can purchase non-essential items such as “leather goods” or “handlooms and textiles”, which are handmade products.

By simply buying these handicraft products, we can help the handicrafters recover from the struggles during the coronavirus. They will be able to continue their work and receive income to support their families once more.

Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

If we can provide these artisans sustainable and long-term partnerships with western businesses, the impact of world events like the coronavirus would be lessened if they were to occur in the future.

The reason why the artisans have suffered from the fall in working days and income was due to a sudden fall in demand for their products, which are non-essential items. They did not have long-term partnerships that would have ensured continuous work and income even during the pandemic.

By establishing sustainable partnerships, it does not only support the artisans on a micro level but also on a macro level with the SDGs. For instance, having a large income, these individuals can purchase medical items (SDG 3) or the artisan can invest into better infrastructure (SDG 9) for their production. 

These sustainable partnerships are the bread-and-butter that would breed into achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).

What about the benefits for businesses that support these types of partnerships?

Social Corporate responsibility

Besides the greater good of helping these artisans improve their standard of living, we need to discuss the incentives and benefits for western businesses to enter into these partnerships. This would fall into the subject of Social Corporate Responsibility (SCR).

As explained by Ellie Collier, “Social Corporate Responsibility is when a company operates in an ethical and sustainable way and deals with its environmental and social impacts. This means careful consideration of human rights, the community, environment, and society in which it operates.”

A business, whether small or large, should have an interest in SCR because customers have a preference to support companies that have a positive public image and having an impact report is getting more important for all businesses. Besides being able to build a great image and increase brand awareness by marketing the companies’ unique selling point, branding can also improve from the sustainable actions of their operations.

More and more people are adopting sustainable consumer behaviour. This is an untapped gold for businesses, especially on the smaller end, to reap. By building up their social corporate responsibility and branding with the United Nations SDGs, it would bring the business an edge over their competition.

The combined impact

With all the impacts discussed, how can a business, of any size, simply take part? 

One suggestion would be to speak with businesses like us. Here at Rural Handmade, we connect artisan labourers in developing countries with businesses in western countries so that both can benefit by working together. 

By connecting, western businesses are able to source high quality, low-cost items to sell in their stores produced by these highly skilled artisans.

Businesses like us aim to support the artisans by providing them with a fair price for the handcrafted goods they produce and giving them the right recognition for their unique produce. Customers will then acknowledge these Western businesses that support artisans and view them as a high standard for Social Corporate Responsibility and will consequently build loyalty to their brand.

It’s rather simple to take part in the international handicraft, to support artisan labourers in developing countries. 

We can start with a conversation on how Rural Handmade can advise you on reducing your operational cost and providing fair trade to the handicraft industry.

Contact us at support@ruralhandmade.com.

We would love to hear what you think and what’s your approach on helping the handicraft industry in developing countries!