SDGsの取り組み（英語）
SDGs
One Crochet Hook Opens the Future for Filipino Women!
Since its founding, Surci has created employment opportunities for Filipino women and supported their economic independence while producing ethical bags using materials with low environmental impact.
Surcy SDGs Initiative Video
The SDGs are shared goals for the international community established at a UN summit in September 2015.
They consist of 17 goals that developed and developing countries must work together to achieve, aiming to “leave no one behind.”
At Surcy, we are particularly focused on three key areas.
“End Poverty”
Life on Cebu Island, Philippines
As is the case in many developing countries, the Philippines faces a stark wealth gap, with many people unable to find work even if they want it.
Many people live without electricity or gas, and hardworking women supplement their household income by selling homemade snacks or fruits harvested from their gardens.
Improving the Lives of Knitters
Surci maintains local production and strictly adheres to biweekly paydays. Every two to three months, we visit the site to provide staff training and technical guidance to the knitters, building trust with them. Through these fair trade initiatives, the knitters’ livelihoods continue to improve year after year.
The Knitter's Voice・No more worrying about the electricity bill!
・I was able to buy lumber, so I can expand the house!
・I’m so glad I could buy my child’s school uniform!
・I feel relieved knowing I don’t have to worry about the cost of my chronic illness medication!
・I bought piglets to raise and sell!
Vocational training within prisons
Within the prison in Karakaru City where the workshop is located, Surci staff provide knitting instruction, and incarcerated women produce bags. Wages are sent from the prison to the children.
Surcy’s Future Reform
Achieve gender equality
Women’s Empowerment
When women work and earn income, they can better focus on their children’s education.
One knitter worked as a housekeeper before joining Surci.
She worked 180 hours a month with almost no days off, earning 2,500 pesos (about 6,500 yen). Now, working 60 hours a month at Surci, she earns 4,000 pesos (about 10,400 yen).
This translates to more than four times the hourly income she previously earned.
Knit’s Previous Job and Current Job (Hourly Wage Comparison)
In Lydia’s case
previous job
Housekeeper
26 days worked per month, 180 hours
2,500 pesos
Surci
60 hours per month (8 bags)
4,000 pesos
486％UP
In Clarita’s case
previous job
Part-time job at the health center
8 shifts per month, 40 hours total
1,400 pesos
Surci
48 hours per month (6 bags)
3,000 pesos
180％UP
In Raquel’s case
previous job
Snack sales at the school store
26 days worked per month, 156 hours
2,600 pesos
Surci
60 hours per month (8 bags)
4,000 pesos
400％UP
※The above is calculated on an hourly basis.
12 “Responsibility to Produce, Responsibility to Use”
Procurement of Materials
The raffia used in Surci bags is made from the fibers of the natural raffia palm, spun into thread.
Raffia palms grow predominantly in clusters on Bohol Island in the Philippines. If not harvested for raffia thread, they wither and die, eventually returning to the earth.
Surci’s consistent purchase of raffia thread supports the livelihoods of raffia thread producers.
Furthermore, Surci utilizes even the end strands of raffia in techniques like motif weaving, striving to minimize waste.
Video: How Raffia Yarn Is Made
The Making of Raffia Yarn
Harvesting the trunk from raffia palms
Split the trunk lengthwise into thin strips.
Split the trunk into several thread-like strands using a comb
Dry the thread-like strands in the sun for one day.
Connect each strand to form a long thread
Wind the thread to complete it.
Bag Repair
To ensure your products last for years to come, we offer bag repair services. We also share tips on enjoying the unique patina that develops over time with natural materials, as well as care points to help you use them for years to come.
About Bag Repairs
About Raffia
Further action
Our efforts to address SDG challenges were recognized, and in March 2019, we joined the United Nations Business Call to Action (BCtA)*.
We became the 230th company globally and the 12th in Japan to receive approval for membership,
marking the first time a small business founded less than 10 years ago has joined.
Creating Employment Opportunities for Filipino Women Through Knitting Skills Training | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
BCtA Welcome Letter（5/3/2021）
February 2020, at the United Nations Office in Manila
Speech at the United Nations Office
※Business Call to Action:BCtA
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are collaborating to promote and support the development of inclusive business models by private enterprises. These models aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by balancing commercial success with contributions to development.
Surcy is committed to steadily advancing toward solving social issues like environmental challenges and poverty through sustainable business practices.
We will continue to steadily increase employment for knitters, contributing to improved quality of life, regional revitalization, and women’s independence.
RECOMMEND
