How Paying Living Wages Tackles Inequality, and Why It Makes Business Sense

At Adiantes, we’ve always believed that ethical production isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also a smart and sustainable way to build a business. Our commitment to fair treatment of workers goes beyond words. It’s embedded in how we operate, how we grow, and how we deliver value to our clients.

We're proud to be featured in the United Nations Global Compact Academy Case Library for our approach to paying living wages, not just minimum wages, to all employees at our production facility in Thailand. Our guiding principle is simple: when we invest in people, everyone wins.

What We’re Doing Differently

In the case study, the UN Global Compact highlights how Adiantes ensures living wages for 100% of its workforce. This goes far beyond Thailand’s national minimum wage. We assessed the actual cost of living, including housing, food, transport, healthcare, and savings, and set wages accordingly.

Key Takeaway:

✅ Workers earn above Thailand’s minimum wage, depending on job role and experience.

✅ Every full-time employee receives health insurance, paid leave, and structured career development opportunities.

✅ We’ve moved away from dependency on short-term and seasonal workers by building stable, year-round production volumes.

✅ We actively work with clients to forecast production together, ensuring stable employment and smoother operations.

Why This Matters

Paying living wages isn’t charity; it’s smart business. Since implementing these changes:

✅ 64% of our team members have been with us for over 10 years, reflecting deep employee loyalty and long-term engagement.

✅ Average wages increased by 6% in 2022, 5.5% in 2023, and 5.8% in 2024, consistently outpacing inflation and reinforcing our commitment to fair compensation.

✅ 44% of our long-term employees are part of an aging workforce, highlighting our dedication to stable, long-term employment across all life stages.

And perhaps most importantly, our employees feel secure, respected, and motivated. As the global conversation around ethical sourcing and sustainability continues to grow, we believe more brands will demand partners who prioritize people and planet alongside products.

At Adiantes, we’re not just making leather and textile goods; we’re building a better system. Whether you're a brand, buyer, or business looking for a responsible manufacturing partner, we invite you to learn more about our approach:

Explore the UN case study on our living wage model.

Download our Living Wage PDF summary.

Let’s raise the standard—together.