In general parlance “fair trade” is known as a set of principles that involves paying fair wages to workers, the freedom for producers to organize themselves into unions, not employing children as a labor force, and ensuring that working conditions are not endangering the people who work. “Fair trade” is the idea that commerce should actually benefit (or even develop) the communities of those who work and at least “do no harm.”

The certification, known as Fair Trade Certification, is a different matter that only applies to commodities (raw materials or agricultural goods). Klash are not actually qualified for Fair Trade Certification.

The Preemptive Love Coalition is committed to the principles of Fair Trade, however; regardless of our eligibility for certification. PLC continues to show our commitment to Fair Trade through our transparency and accountability and promotion of Fair Tradeby educating our customers about the ins and outs of our production chain. We are unashamedly honest about the things that are hidden from us, sober about the things that are outstanding, and welcoming to any who would desire to inspect the exact process and conditions surrounding the production of Klash and Kids Klash.

We actively create opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers and give them access to international markets so as to build their capacity for success long after we’ve left the scene. Not all of our shoe makers are economically disadvantaged, but most of them do have at least two jobs in order to make ends meet. It’s important to us that we pay a fair price for each pair of shoes.

That said, due to the charitable nature of our work on behalf of the kinsmen of these shoemakers, we have negotiated prices (wholesale) that are lower than that to which they are accustomed (retail), but these Kurdish shoemakers see the differential in the profit margin as their contribution to the over 3,000 known children in northern Iraq alone who need heart surgery! Moreover, due to the volume of sales we’re bringing to the table, each shoe maker is ultimately walking away with more money than they would have at their previously higher profit margins.

Due to the fact that Klash and Kids Klash are largely produced in the homes by families, gender equity in the pay and work volume something to which we can happily attest. Though certain aspects of the work (usually the knitting of the upper) fetch less and take more time, women are treated well by their families and outside buyers throughout the production chain. Moreover, the sheer power and skill required to make the sole is deserving of more pay, being a trade at which only a handful in the entire population are adept.

Working conditions for adults and the absence of child labor are two very encouraging aspects in the production of the shoes, despite the generally discouraging economic conditions for many in the country. Due to the fact that most shoes are made in the context of families and apprenticed relations - as opposed to non-relational factories - we have never witnessed any conditions or practices that gave us cause for concern.

We mean for our name - The Preemptive Love Coalition - to convey our concern for the well-being of these people - both their children and the producers who make our very existence possible. Klash and Kids Klash are not made in anonymous factories or sweat shops. We do not have relationships with grizzly foremen to the exclusion of the actual labor force. We meet with the shoemakers themselves, know their names, know their families, and we are considerate of their other employment. We eat lunch with them; they teach us Kurdish; they invite us to their villages for picnics and sleepovers.

To learn more about this amazing workforce of Kurdish Klash and Kids Klash makers, click here.