Since 2009, this journey of ours has begun in search of the right balance between work and pleasure.
Since 2009, this journey of ours has begun in search of the right balance between work and pleasure.
We work with FAMILIES
We collaborate with women from farming families in northern Thailand, blending local labour and traditional techniques with our exclusive design.
We seek the
PERFECTION
No one is perfect, but passion drives our work and pushes us to create products we are proud of. Quality is precisely the reason that motivates us to work passionately.
We respect the
NATURE
Natural fabrics dyed without azo and toxic dyes. Creating high-quality products is also a way to respect raw materials and the environment.
Abbiamo notato che sempre più persone abbandonano la vita rurale e lavorano distanti dalle loro famiglie. La concezione del nostro marchio Omatti è quella di produrre senza uno stabilimento vero e proprio. I nostri collaboratori lavorano direttamente da casa, possono rimanere con la loro famiglia e con i membri del villaggio mentre lavorano, coltivano riso e verdure. La flessibilità del lavoro li aiuta a superare molti momenti difficili.Ad esempio, a me risulta difficile cucire a lungo linee dritte, ma in compenso riesco a cucire delle curve perfette!
We have noticed that more and more people are leaving rural life and working far from their families. The concept of our brand Omatti is to produce without a proper factory. Our collaborators work directly from home, allowing them to stay with their families and village members while they work, growing rice and vegetables. The flexibility of work helps them overcome many difficult moments.
In 1992, a family in Northern Thailand began sewing various products for the local market, reaching a collaboration and production with Omatti in 2009, thus entering the European market. The demand grew so quickly that several wives of local farmers joined the group, managing, thanks to their valuable work, to obtain an important income for the family's sustenance. Currently, there are about 20 women in this group.
“We know that everyone has a personal dream”
Our collaborators are mainly wives of small farmers, who must stay at home to take care of the family and cannot leave their homes to work.
Our project provides flexibility to the Omatti women, who can choose the amount of work to be done and where to carry it out – directly from home or at our premises – according to their needs. The project managers divide the various parts of the process and the materials used among the women, based on their abilities, preferences, and family situation.
Part of the profit is reinvested, for example, in sewing machines, overlock machines, cutting machinery, eyelet and rivet presses, etc. Another part of the profit is invested in order to improve both the conditions of
In the meantime, we offer our women the opportunity to attend sewing courses to learn new techniques. In a second phase, they pass on the new knowledge to other women. This helps them to strengthen their self-esteem and encourages them to contribute to the production and development of new products.
All the women of Omatti are insured by the state social security system against illness and accidents, with guaranteed medical assistance. Depending on the circumstances, members can request an advance on their salary to cope with family emergencies.
“Each of us has strengths and weaknesses in our work”
For example, I find it difficult to sew long straight lines, but on the other hand, I can sew perfect curves!
What I really like about this environment is that everyone can utilise their skills. -pa Nai
“It is important that everyone is happy”
I take care of the cutting and redistribute tasks among the women in our group. I value their strength, their perseverance, and I consider their family situation: for this type of work, it is very important to know how to communicate. – Noi
“I can stay at home and take care of my grandson”
I am so happy to be able to work from home and have the opportunity to take care of my grandson, as my son and daughter-in-law are both away from the village for work. – pa Mai
“I am not satisfied if the product is not perfect”
My colleagues and I seek quality in every piece produced by the different members. Sometimes it happens that an entire batch has to be redone, but it is extremely important for us to maintain high quality. – Nok
“Sabai Sabai…you work well with calm.”
I have worked for thirty years in the textile industry. Creating bags and accessories has become part of my life. What I love is that here I can freely choose the time, the amount of work, and even which process to take part in. -Mae dang
“If we love others and believe in them, we can give our best.”
Omatti has given me a programme to produce quality items. I am so happy to be part of the Omatti team and I am also proud of my work. – PNoi
Karen Iman Cheong and her husband Claudio Lendi founded their fair trade project “omatti” in 2009.
With this documentary, they want to share their idea and an alternative to mass production.
The documentary shows what fair trade production can look like and, as evidence of this, the work
on site with the members of a village near Chiangmai in Thailand.
DIRECTOR
Nat Sakhonbut (Thailand) – Director/ Filmmaker / sound designer of Virus Film,
is known in Thailand for his excellent documentaries.
With his creative documentary films, he aims to promote alternative Thai projects.
