Oxfam calls for an ethical Christmas

Fair Trade & Workers Rights, Media Releases, News, Oxfam Shops, Shops & Fundraising article written on the 18 Dec 2014

With the latest retail figures predicting spending will hit $45 billion this Christmas, Oxfam are urging consumers to think ethically when making purchases.

Oxfam Australia Trading General Manager Julia Sumner said purchasing Fair Trade and ethically sourced gifts can change the lives of artisans around the world.

“Our Oxfam Shops support 136 Fair Trade and ethical producer partners in 38 countries around the world, including Australia,” Ms Sumner said.

“Fair and ethical trade is so important as it empowers communities by paying them fair and stable prices for their work, helping them to gain the skills they need to develop their business, and giving them access to world markets.

“If Australians channelled the money they would spend in the lead up to Christmas through fair and ethical trade we could collectively make a difference to so many more lives.”

The producer of one of Oxfam’s best selling ranges is Rajana.

Based in Cambodia Rajana was initially founded to help young people from refugee camps to earn an income.

One of Rajana’s most notable projects has been the development of the bombshell jewellery range.

Rajana source the raw materials for this range through a partnership with an organisation who train Cambodians to safely remove landmines from the Cambodian landscape.

The bombshells are then transformed from a reminder of civil war into beautiful pieces of handcrafted jewellery.

Rajana Bombshell Jewellery Artisan Heang Sopheanith expresses his gratitude to the customers who purchase his jewellery.

“Thank you to all customers that support and buy our products,” Mr Sopheanith says.

“When they buy our products it means that they can support me and all staff here, because we have the work to do.”

For interviews or more information, please contact Sara Pelvin on 0448 554 495 or sarap@oxfam.org.au