Since Labor Day is a national holiday dedicated to fair labor conditions and wages, it is time to ask yourself, “Where was the product made and how were the people who made it treated?”

Although traditionally Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer, celebrated with barbeques and a day off work, according to the United States Department of Labor , the first Monday in September is “a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” The first Labor Day celebration, organized by the Knights of Labor, was held on September 5, 1882.

The idea of commemorating “the working men’s” fight for fair treatment is not limited to the United States.  International Workers’ Day (a name used interchangeably with May Day) is a national holiday all over the world, including Kenya. Unfortunately, many of the fair treatment laws that we take for granted in the United States are not required in many countries around the world.  In a globalized economy, consumer goods are sometimes produced in poor developing countries, taking advantage of cheap labor and lack of environmental or community protections. Workers, children included, are required to work extremely long hours for barely subsistence-level wages, and often under unsanitary and unsafe conditions.  According to International Labor Rights Forum, “Alarmingly, an estimated 211 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are compelled to work around the world.”

From the beginning, our goal was to build a company around the lifestyle and culture of the Maasai, instead of disrupting their way of life. The female artisans work in a non-factory setting, usually under the acacia trees. The work sites are mobile so that there are many opportunities to earn money throughout the Rift Valley. You can watch the women at work by clicking here.

The women are free to come and go as they please, bringing their babies and children with them, so they can watch them and earn an income at the same time. They are paid a fair wage by the piece. In fact, a woman who works full time (30 hours per week) makes enough income in one month to feed her entire family for a year! In addition, 5% of all sales goes back to the communities in the form of health benefits, infrastructure and education. We are proud to be a certified members of the Fair Trade Federation and Green America.

Every day, The Leakey Collection is thankful for the social and economic achievements of not only the American workers, but of those new opportunities for our neighbors here in Kenya.  While enjoying your barbeque this Labor Day, we hope you reflect on the positive changes that are taking place across our globe and know that you are part of this moveent of fair trade practices!