Meghan's handbag raises concerns over fair wages for artisans

Meghan Markle is facing criticism regarding her new online store, which features luxury handbags made by female artisans in Rwanda. The bags, which retail for around £712, are produced by women reportedly earning as little as 10 pence an hour. One artisan, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, shared her hope for better pay while she works on bags selling for hundreds of pounds. Despite Meghan’s involvement, these workers are paid well below the World Bank's poverty line. Meghan became a minority shareholder in Cesta Collective, a company that employs Rwandan weavers to create these handbags. While Cesta promotes the venture as offering "dignified employment," investigations reveal stark disparities between the artisans' earnings and the bags' retail prices. The Duchess of Sussex is set to earn commissions from sales through her ShopMy site. Reports suggest she could earn up to £210 per bag sold. According to the company, some creators in the program can earn over a million dollars annually. Critics argue that the situation highlights exploitation, questioning the ethical implications of Meghan's support for the brand. Several weavers have expressed disappointment at their compensation, contrasting their earnings with the luxurious prices of the handbags. Cesta Collective insists they are providing valuable work opportunities and maintaining ethical practices, despite the backlash they have received. The company claims its mission is to support the livelihood of women artisans in developing regions.