Le Souk Ceramique
Le Souk Ceramique works with artisans in Tunisia, to create hand-made & hand-painted ceramics. They pay the artisans above industry-average wages and pay into the national health care and social security system.
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Le Souk Ceramique is a fair trade company that works in Nabeul, Tunisia. All of their ceramic production is hand-made and hand-painted at their studio. Le Souk's workmanship is truly artisanal - they use no machinery for their painting, nor any decals or stencils. They paint each piece freehand. They use only foodsafe paints and glazes; for your safety as well as that of their employees.
Le Souk's salaries are well above minimum wage and industry standards in Tunisia. They pay fully into the national health care system and Tunisian social security. For July and August in the full summer heat, their employees leave at 2pm for the day, though July and August salaries are paid in full. Males and females work side by side and Le Souk complies with Tunisian law that bans the veil in the workplace. They are planning to get certification as a Fair Trade studio as permitted by the Tunisian government. Prior to the January 2011 revolution, it was not possible to get third party certification but as the laws change, they hope to have the proper inspection and certification.
The name "Le Souk Ceramique" is a combination of Arabic and French. The "Souk" is the "marketplace" in Arabic. In every town and city, you will find a souk and in these souks you will find many items of traditional artistry. Nabeul is known for ceramics, Sousse is known for metalwork, Sidi Bouzeid for olive wood, Kairouan for carpets, and the list goes on. So across Tunisia and North Africa, these souks are filled with color and texture and make for hours of adventure just wondering around. Aside from handicrafts, there are also spices and clothes and fruits and vegetable. A trip to the Souk is a highlight for any traveller to Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and beyond.
Le Souk's salaries are well above minimum wage and industry standards in Tunisia. They pay fully into the national health care system and Tunisian social security. For July and August in the full summer heat, their employees leave at 2pm for the day, though July and August salaries are paid in full. Males and females work side by side and Le Souk complies with Tunisian law that bans the veil in the workplace. They are planning to get certification as a Fair Trade studio as permitted by the Tunisian government. Prior to the January 2011 revolution, it was not possible to get third party certification but as the laws change, they hope to have the proper inspection and certification.
The name "Le Souk Ceramique" is a combination of Arabic and French. The "Souk" is the "marketplace" in Arabic. In every town and city, you will find a souk and in these souks you will find many items of traditional artistry. Nabeul is known for ceramics, Sousse is known for metalwork, Sidi Bouzeid for olive wood, Kairouan for carpets, and the list goes on. So across Tunisia and North Africa, these souks are filled with color and texture and make for hours of adventure just wondering around. Aside from handicrafts, there are also spices and clothes and fruits and vegetable. A trip to the Souk is a highlight for any traveller to Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and beyond.
