About the Nicaraguan Garment Workers Fund
The Nicaraguan Garment Workers Fund (NGWF) is committed to the eradication of sweatshops in Nicaragua, one factory at a time. With this aim, the NGWF has partnered with the Nueva Vida Women's Sewing Cooperative (also known as Comamnuvi), the first worker-owned and operated Free Trade Zone in the world, to support the empowerment of the garment workers there.
Mission
The NGWF was created to support the courageous work of the Cooperativa Maquiladoras Mujeres de Nueva Vida (COMAMNUVI) through product development, marketing, quality and resource management, and employee empowerment programs. COMAMNUVI is the first worker-owned free trade zone in the world, employs over 60 workers and produces sweat-free, 100% organic cotton apparel products. The Comamnuvi factory is an industry leader, producing socially and environmentally conscious organic clothing under an emerging democratic management structure. The Nicaraguan Garment Workers Fund exists to support solidarity between international allies and the Nicaraguan workers, so that the Cooperative can be successful and self-sustainable.
Viable alternatives to sweatshop labor are possible—but workers of small cooperatives such as Comamnuvi must rely on the support of mindful consumers dedicated to the struggle for labor justice. The Nicaraguan Garment Workers Fund believes that as smart shoppers and strong advocates, we will continue to raise the bar for workers everywhere.
Who are we?
The Nicaraguan Garment Workers Fund was established by a group of individuals who have worked alongside and been touched by the workers of Comamnuvi. Although the NGWF is a new organization, its contributing members come to the project with years of experience in apparel production, graphic design, international development, and non-profit management. The NGWF is run completely by volunteers, who accept no salary or payment for their work.
The aim of the NGWF is to support the long-term success of Comamnuvi as a viable sweatshop alternative. The NGWF promotes solidarity between Nicaraguan workers and international allies, and also aids in the improvement of infrastructure and communication systems so that the Cooperative can be successful and self-sustainable.
We operate from the sale of merchandise produced at the Cooperative. After the payment of minimal administrative costs (which we are happy to disclose upon request), the NGWF returns all profits to the workers via direct donations and through the Machine & Training Fund. The NGWF is committed to helping the sewing Cooperative transition into becoming self-sufficient, so that it will soon operate entirely from its own cash flow.
In response to the Cooperatives’ desire for guidance and support as they work towards sustainability, the NGWF has offered its services enthusiastically but prudently. We will work to avoid infringing upon the autonomy of the Cooperative in any way. As such, NGWF regularly consults the managing board of the Cooperative to evaluate the role and contributions of NGWF. As we continue to develop as an organization, we pledge to operate as a fiscally and bureaucratically transparent organization, ready to lend a hand and also ready to step back.