Label STEP awarded for its work in Nepal

Label STEP’s commitment towards the workers in Nepalese carpet industry has been awarded by the Nepal Independent Carpet Worker’s Union (NICWU), a sister organisation of the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GEFONT). The award was handed over on the occasion of the 4th National Convention of the NICWU in presence of the Nepalese Minister for Education and Sports. Label STEP was lauded for its efforts in establishing fair socio-economic standards for the workers in the carpet industry and for encouraging eco-friendly carpet processing methods. “May your contributions always form a rainbow over the peak of Mt. Everest” closes the NICWU letter of appreciation awarded to Label STEP.

Sherab Dolma Rana (photo), Label STEP country representative in Nepal, is honoured and pleased with the award: “This proves that Label STEP has maintained a good reputation among the carpet workers in Nepal. We take this award as an encouragement to continue our efforts in securing dignified life of the workers in the Nepalese carpet industry. At the same time we continue our efforts in negotiating the issues between trade unions and carpet companies. The preservation of this industry is immensely important because it provides employment to over 150,000 workers who belong to the poorest part of the country’s population. Our goal is a prospering carpet sector with fair conditions for the benefit of all parties involved.”

Kathmandu, Nepal, June 2007