Both of these shoes are of the style Herringbone Alpargatas but which one is certified as ethically produced?
Look, I have not done any concrete calling/emailing customer service investigation (should probably get on that soon) but the numbers and company websites can shed some light. I’m not accusing of TOMS not being ethically produced but I think it’s fair to say it’s something worth directly questioning and finding out.
Pupore/ Desde el Pie is a Fair Trade certified shoe workshop. For the price you pay for one pair this is how the money is dished out:
- The cooperative receives: USD $18.07
- Argentine V.A.T. and U.S. duties: $6.09
- Fund contribution: $4.52
- REAL Middle Man Cost: $6.32
Click HERE to see where the money goes to in detail
For TOMS shoes you are buying a pair of shoes for yourself and another for a child. Remember, your purchase needs not only to be sent to you from shoe factory in either Ethiopia, Argentina, or China but also the child’s shoes are hand delivered and fitted to the individual.
In TOMS Giving Report, their exact language around production of their shoes is this:
“Kids don’t make our shoes. This one is for the real cynics out there. Our factories in Argentina, Ethiopia and China are all third-party audited to ensure they employ no child labor, and pay fair wages.”
I mean, that sounds like it’s ethically produced but in another language I found from another blog post, called Against the Grind is this:
“The first shoes that came to mind were TOMS Shoes. However, not even TOMS Shoes quelled my fears about the ethics of their production, with its factories in China, Argentina, and Ethiopia.
It claims on its Website: “We require that the factories operate under sound labor conditions, pay fair wages and follow local labor standards.”–which is exactly the line that Nike and Adidas provide in an attempt to cover up their dismal factory conditions– because different countries have different labor “standards” in the name of exploiting workers for capital. Sure, perhaps I’m wrong and TOMS Shoes factories are excellent places of employment– and TOMS, if you’re reading this, please set me straight– but I really didn’t want to take any chances. Full disclosure of your factory conditions on your Website would be greatly appreciated, TOMS.”
***Just wanted to clarify me questioning if TOMS are ethically produced***
-AS
ps. if anyone knows for sure about how TOMS are made and can break down the price and what pays where, by all means, submit it to me!! I would greatly appreciate it :)
