Building the Foundation for Worker-Led Impact

Footwear workers at Calçados Ramarim LTDA in Nova Hartz, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, are advancing the implementation of the Fair Trade Certified program. The factory employs 2,000 people, 54 percent of whom are women. Now in its second year of Fair Trade implementation, the facility has completed its preparatory work and initial audit. Although the Fair Trade Premium has not yet been allocated, employees have already taken essential steps to prepare for future Community Development Funds investments. To build a strong foundation for these future investments, workers have established a legal entity, opened a dedicated bank account, and elected the Fair Trade Committee that will oversee Premium management. Employees have also initiated a comprehensive needs assessment to identify clear priorities for future Premium spending. To support inclusive participation across all departments, workers received guidance on using online forms to complete the survey. This structured process lays the groundwork for transparent, worker-directed decision making once the funds are received. Gerson Luis Wirth, who helps lead the implementation process and has worked at Ramarim for more than 36 years, described Fair Trade Certification as one of the most significant developments he has witnessed at the company. "At the beginning, it was challenging because I didn't really know what Fair Trade was," Gerson shared. "Now what motivates me most is seeing that this can create real social impact in our municipality and in people's lives, changes we didn't see before." As Ramarim prepares to design its first social investment projects, the focus remains on ensuring the committee has the necessary support so future investments reflect exactly what workers identify as most important. Even at this early stage, the Fair Trade program is strengthening participation, shifting workplace dynamics, and building a powerful system for collective governance that is already creating a meaningful impact.