| ORIENTAL RUG IMPORTER ASSOCIATION
ASKS THAT IRANIAN CARPETS BE
EXEMPTED FROM US TRADE SANCTIONS SECAUCUS, NJ -- The Oriental Rug Importers Association and the Swiss-based Label STEP organization have jointly appealed to the U.S. Government to exclude hand made carpets from the Iranian trade embargo scheduled to go into effect Sept. 29. The statement cites the fact that Iranian carpets weavers and workers are among the most economically deprived workers in that country. President Obama signed the ‘Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act' (H.R. 2194) on July 1, 2010. The trade embargo includes handmade carpets produced in Iran and will become effective on Sept. 29, 2010. "The number of carpet weavers, workers, and their related family members in Iran is estimated at about 8 million people," according to the ORIA/STEP statement. "Most of them live and work in remote rural areas where there are very few alternatives to earn a living."
The ORIA and STEP noted that carpet weaving is an important part of the cultural heritage of Iran. "A considerable number of carpet weavers belong to tribal peoples and still live their traditional way of life or are in a critical phase of transition into urban localities," said the statement "Carpet weaving is a key element of their cultural heritage and identity and remains an important means of existence to them." Handmade carpets from Iran also have historical significance. "Handmade carpets were among the first globally traded goods. Their importance in commercial and cultural exchange between the East and the West has a long history," according to the ORIA/STEP statement "Handmade carpets are a cultural bridge and stand for peaceful exchange between the Orient and the West." Despite the fact that President Obama has stated that the sanction are not directed at the Iranian people, the trade embargo contributes to " the unemployment, impoverishment and insecurity among millions of people already struggling to make a living in Iran," according to the ORIA/STEP statement. "Furthermore, the trade embargo also threatens numerous US carpet importers and retailers, most of them small businesses and family-owned enterprises." According to the Department of Commerce, imports of wool rugs from Iran amounted to $43.4 million in 2009. Label STEP is a Swiss-based non-governmental organization promoting fair trade with handmade carpets and is committed to improving working and living conditions of carpet weavers and fighting abusive child labor. Label STEP's membership currently consists of 15 importers and 45 retailers from five countries with more than 150 points of sale in 11 countries throughout Europe. The Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA), based in Secaucus, NJ, is a national trade association formed in 1958 to foster ethical business practices and promote the best interests of the Oriental Rug trade in the United States and in countries that produce Oriental rugs. ORIA's membership consists of over 70 U.S. based importers of handmade carpets. Read more about the
pending Iran trade sanctions:
Click here for original announcement.
Click here for US Treasury Dept. updates 08.19.10
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