Pekerti Nusantara Pt, Indonesia

About Us

The impact of development on Agricultural industries or better known as the “Green Revolution” affected both Rural and Suburban people who lacked the skills to work in the new modern sectors. This impact was most pronounced in rural areas where opportunities were less than the cities. Agricultural workers became displaced for a variety of reasons, mining, mechanisation and land usage changes. Since 1970s the only way for many rural families and micro entrepreneurs to support themselves was for the Husband or head of household to move to the Cities in search of employment. The women were often left to carry on in their villages to manage traditional affairs and day to day family matters. Often living below the poverty line trying to support their families by what ever means possible.

The above conditions generated new problems for big cities, especially in Java with the increase of unskilled labour, growth of the informal work sector and different population concentration between village and city. The irony was the government used the core of this problem as policy to attract an investment. This in turn generated unfair and uneven distribution of development between Capital and Regency, West Indonesia – East Indonesia. The explosion of the informal service sector resulted in human rights violations by government as they renewed and developed the cities.

By using a cheap labour strategy the government took the side of the investor and manufacturer. The growth in manufacture and production line process saw various modern products produced very cheaply. These products flooded the market both in village and cities. Under the New Order Regime the manufacture industry was twisted unfairly to advantage big business. The impact of monopoly and unfair trade practices created a business environment that village/traditional products and producers could not compete against. The whole fabric of village life changed and these marginalise people were not in a position to defend themselves against this unfair policy. Natural resources and the environment, as well as human resources have been exploited arbitrarily by the modern sector.

A grass roots movement with a back to basics ideal was developed. We started with an idea to establish a foundation concerned with community development. This foundation would be focused on re-establishing people's awareness, pride of natural resources, cultural heritage, and create power; inspiration which would be able to cultivate trade. After much thought and debate, on August 14, 1975, five non-governmental organizations concerned with community development, and with cross religious ties, formed YAYASAN PENGEMBANGAN KERAJINAN RAKYAT INDONESIA (INDONESIAN PEOPLE'S HANDICRAFT FOUNDATION) which is now known as PEKERTI.

Pekerti Nusantara PT is a subsidiary of Pekerti Foundation which established for export purposes. It is a legal trading company and registered  with TRADE LICENCE No.Y.A.5/125/10 dated March 3, 1980.  Since 1980 Pekerti Nusantara PT has exported the products to Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.

The range of products Pekerti covers within the business is wide : batik, bamboo, cocotree, coconut shell, eceng gondok (eichornia crassipess), horn, leather, lorosetu, rattan, silver, sea-grass, stone, wood, and many others. All are made by talented and skilled artisans .

VISION :
To establish a prosperous, democratic, and just society

MISSION

• Improving the artisans prosperity through the empowering program
• Creation of an environment which supports economic and fair trade through education and networks
• Strengthen the professionalism within Pekerti, its networks, and artisan groups in order to best participate in achieving economic-democratic and fair trade.