Investment in Practical Household Items

Mensa Industries Company Ltd., an apparel manufacturer in Quang Ngai, central Vietnam, has been Fair Trade Certified since 2021. Through the program, workers at Mensa democratically decide how to best use their Community Development Funds by identifying needs, prioritizing options, and approving projects. Following a needs assessment, workers determined that practical household items were the top priority. Televisions were the most frequently selected item, with over 90% of employees indicating this was important. Workers explained that televisions are a widely used source of news, educational programming, and shared family entertainment. However, the upfront cost can be difficult for many households to manage alongside everyday expenses. Some workers, who come from ethnic minority communities in rural highland areas, planned to bring the televisions to their family homes. This extends the project's benefit beyond the factory community, helping families stay connected to news and educational content. The workers approved a Fair Trade project to provide one television to each employee, with a total expenditure of $716,370 USD. Administrative staff supported the coordination and logistics for the large-scale distribution of 40-inch TCL televisions, which were selected based on suitability and budget. In total, 4,186 employees benefited from the project. This initiative builds on earlier investments at Mensa, including oil-free fryers, electric hot pots, and fans, reflecting a consistent focus on supporting workers' household needs. In September 2025, Fair Trade USA field staff met with the Premium Management Team and other factory members. The visit included training on needs assessment and fund planning, which further strengthen the participatory decision-making process. Through this same process, workers have chosen tablets as their next priority to support education at home, and planning for this investment is now underway.