The Freedom

Fair wages

We are committed to ensuring that the women who work at Sari Bari not only receive the market wage but a fair wage—a wage that not only provides a living but also a way out of desperate poverty.

Reasonable work hours (40 hours per week)

We are committed not only to our employees but also to their families. We operate on a 40-hour work week from 10am to 7pm daily Monday-Friday so that women can have opportunity for rest and time at home with their families.

Health care

Each of the women has access to health care and a health plan that they can participate in if they choose.

Family support

All employees with school-age children have access to school-fee assistance after one year of employment. The women contribute a small amount monthly and Sari Bari contributes the rest. (Note: School in India is not free—all schools charge admission fees, book fees, uniform fees, etc. Sari Bari support is more than enough to cover these fees or fees at local boarding schools if needed.)

Paid holidays

All Sari Bari employees receive 25 paid holidays per year. This is given as a one-time payment in early October (actual holidays are taken throughout the year)before the big festival season in India (equivalent to Christmas Seasonal Celebrations in the West).

Savings matching

Sari Bari is saving on behalf of the women. For each blanket that a woman makes in a month, Sari Bari saves a percentage on her behalf. This will lead to a healthy savings account after only five years—enough to purchase land and ensure a good future for these women as they head toward retirement.

Loan payoff

Sari Bari is committed to freedom from debt for our employees. Upon completion of training, each woman’s debts are paid off to the money lenders. These are personal debts. Sari Bari will not and does not buy women out of the trade. The high interest rates (600 to 1,000 percent annually) charged by the money lenders makes it impossible for them to pay off their loans. We pay off their loans and they pay Sari Bari back at no interest with a low monthly payment that fits within their budget.

A safe work environment

We are committed to providing a safe place for women coming out of the sex trade. Each woman is treated with dignity, kindness and respect.