Who Makes Your Rugs? Fair Trade Highlights Labor in Pakistan

Bunyaad Rugs
Courtesy of Ten Thousand Villages
Bunyaad Rugs
Courtesy of Ten Thousand Villages

Who Makes Your Rugs? Fair Trade Highlights Labor in Pakistan

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Through its Bunyaad Rugs line, Evanston-based fair trade shop Ten Thousand Villages works with over 850 artisan families in 100 villages in Pakistan to provide fair and sustainable wages to female rugmakers. As these women practice and pass on their ancient craft, entire villages are lifted out of extreme poverty. For years, Worldview has featured fair trade companies, like Ten Thousand Villages, which is having their annual rug event to display the craftsmanship of Pakistani artisans. Back with us is Yousaf Chaman, director of Bunyaad Rugs. He’s a native of Lahore, Pakistan. With Chaman is Jenni Leister, his wife and director of operations for Bunyaad Rugs. They’ll share stories of how fair trade not only provides economic opportunity, but also societal change in Pakistan.