Mutual Support in Practice Ricardos Experience with Fair Trade

Ricardo Martín Chan Batún works at the Vertical Knits factory in Baca, Yucatán, Mexico, where he is a Quality Supervisor in the embroidery area. He came to the factory seeking steady employment and an opportunity to build skills. Before joining Vertical Knits, he worked as a security guard. He started at the factory as an operator, learning through hands-on training, daily practice, and collaboration with coworkers. Today, his role includes overseeing quality processes and supporting teams in the embroidery department. In addition to his production role, Ricardo is an active leader within the factory's Fair Trade program. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Fair Trade Committee and was recently elected its President. Through this work, he participates in collective decision-making about how Community Development Funds are managed and invested. Ricardo explains that his understanding of Fair Trade grew over time. “I was told there were funds for workers, but I never imagined benefits like these,” he says. Serving on the Committee gave him practical experience in budgeting, recordkeeping, and shared governance alongside other worker representatives. For Ricardo, Fair Trade is grounded in mutual responsibility. “What I like most about Fair Trade is that it’s mutual support,” he explains. “Our clients trust our work, and that trust comes back to us and our families.” One project he highlights is Autopista de la Salud (“Health Highway”), a mobile health unit supported by Committee decisions that provides medical and psychological care in rural communities. Ricardo has seen its impact within his own family and a health situation. “It helped them get through a very hard moment,” he shares. For Ricardo, these experiences show how worker-led decisions translate into practical, meaningful support for everyday life.