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  RugMark is working to end illegal child labor in the carpet industry and to offer educational opportunities to children in South Asia.
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Home > Campaign to End Child Labor > About the Campaign > Campaign FAQs

Campaign FAQs

What is the campaign?

The Most Beautiful Rug: RugMark’s Campaign to End Child Labor is a national public education campaign to create awareness about carpets and rugs made without the use of child labor. The campaign goal is to end child labor in the handmade rug industry in India, Nepal and Pakistan. Many events will take place in markets such as San Francisco and New York the first year of the campaign.

Why is child labor a serious problem?

Exploiting children is illegal and it’s wrong. Instead of going to school and experiencing childhood, nearly 300,000 children in India, Nepal and Pakistan are spending long days working in poor conditions. Child labor also drives down adult wages and keeps entire communities in poverty.

Who is behind The Most Beautiful Rug campaign?

RugMark Foundation USA, a nonprofit organization working to eliminate illegal child labor in the handmade carpet industry. Many sponsors are participating in the effort.

How will The Most Beautiful Rug campaign catch people’s attention?

Through advertising, industry and consumer events, publicity and this website. Plus, the carpet, rug, design and architecture industries are spreading the word about rugs made without child labor.

What is the message of The Most Beautiful Rug campaign?

The handmade carpet industry exploits nearly 300,000 children. This has to end and it will. RugMark is the international organization devoted to building the schools, programs and opportunities that give children back their childhood. It’s working in South Asia, and you can help. Look for the certified and numbered RugMark label on the back of an imported rug. It’s your best assurance that no children were exploited in the manufacture of the carpet you’re buying. Because an imported rug that was made using child labor is ugly no matter what it looks like.

What does RugMark hope this campaign will achieve?

The campaign is designed to increase the market share of RugMark certified rugs imported into North America to 15% and end exploitative child labor in the handmade carpet trade in South Asia within the next decade.

What is RugMark’s mission?

To end illegal child labor in the handmade carpet industry and offer educational opportunities to children in India, Nepal and Pakistan.

What does RugMark do?

To accomplish its mission, RugMark certifies rugs made without illegal child labor, rescues and rehabilitates working children, and builds a marketplace for humanely produced rugs carrying the RugMark label.

Where does RugMark get its funding?

Funding comes from a variety of sources including license fees from participating exporters and importers, and contributions from foundations, corporations and individuals.