Fair Trade
We deeply care about the artisans involved in this project and want to assertain the best possible working conditions for them while also investing in the community. We have therefore decided to follow the fair trade model and will be seeking fair-trade certification in the future.
About Fair Trade
from
Co-operatives and Fair-Trade by Patrick Develtere and Ignace Pollet, Higher Institute for Labour Studies, 2005
“Fair-trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which
seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by
offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers
and workers”.
Fair-trade organizations (backed by consumers) are actively engaged in supporting
producers, in awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules
and practices of conventional international trade (www.bafts.co.uk and
www.ifat.org )
The goals of fair-trade are therefore:
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To improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of producers by improving market access, strengthening producer organizations, paying a better price and providing continuity in the trading relationship.
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To promote development opportunities for disadvantaged producers, especially women and indigenous people and to protect children from exploitation in the production process.
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To raise awareness among consumers of the negative effects on producers of international trade so that they exercise their purchasing power positively.
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To set an example of partnership in trade through dialogue, transparency and respect.
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To campaign for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.
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To protect human rights by promoting social justice, sound environmental practices and economic security.
The main criteria the fair-trade organisations propose to respect are:
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(for workers:) decent wages, good housing, health and safety standards and the right to join trade unions;
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no child or forced labor;
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programs for environmental sustainability;
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(for small farmers’ co-operatives:) a democratic structure that allows members to participate in the co-operative’s decision making processes.
Moreover, the trading terms must include:
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a price that covers the cost of production;
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a social premium to improve living and working conditions;
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partial advance-payment to prevent small producer organizations falling into debt;
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contracts that allow long term production planning.
