Reps from Fair Trade Zone women’s sewing cooperative in Nicaragua visit Boston for University Students for Fair Trade Convergence


Speaking to attendees at a Feb. 16 brown bag luncheon
in Boston, MA, Rosa Davila and Elena Mendina of Fair Trade Zone, described how their small garment factory rose from the destruction of Hurricane Mitch in 1998.

With help from the Center for the Development of Central America (CDCA), the women in the cooperative spent 3 years clearing the land, building the factory, and learning the craft of sewing quality garments--never knowing if their unpaid sweat was going to amount to anything.

In 2002 FTZ began operating in earnest with its first large contract of 26,000 organic t-shirts for Maggie’s Organics in Michigan. On July 1, 2005 FTZ became the world’s first worker-owned free trade zone.

How is Fair Trade Zone doing now?

According to Rosa Davila, after 5 fairly smooth years of production, Fair Trade Zone’s sewing machines are beginning to fall apart. When asked for specifics, Ms. Davila said one machine in particular is beyond repair
and needs replacement. What would it cost? $3500. Unfortunately, at their current production level, the cooperative is unable to cover the cost. CCDA, Fair Trade Zone’s non-profit

support till now, has recommended that the co-op find ways to finance factory upgrades. Thus, Fair Trade Zone's involvement in this year’s University Student’s for Fair Trade colloquium.

For more information on Fair Trade Zone please check out their website.

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