FAIR TRADE
Fair Trade is a growing, international movement which ensures that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a living income), long-term contracts which provide real security; and for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales.
The empowerment from fair trade lifts families from poverty through trade, not aid, keeping food on the table, children in school and families on their land.
A key principle of Fair Trade is to ensure that the artisan or producer of the product being purchased is paid a fair price for their work, in the local context, enabling them to make a decent living. But this is by no means the only aspect of Fair Trade.
The following are some of the other principles covered by the phrase "fair trade":
Fair Trade is a growing, international movement which ensures that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a living income), long-term contracts which provide real security; and for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales.
The empowerment from fair trade lifts families from poverty through trade, not aid, keeping food on the table, children in school and families on their land.
A key principle of Fair Trade is to ensure that the artisan or producer of the product being purchased is paid a fair price for their work, in the local context, enabling them to make a decent living. But this is by no means the only aspect of Fair Trade.
The following are some of the other principles covered by the phrase "fair trade":
- Creating opportunities for advancement for economically disadvantaged artisans and producers.
- Prohibiting child labor and forced labor.
- Providing prompt payment for work done.
- Guaranteeing that men and women receive equal pay for equal work.
- Ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for artisans and producers.
- Limiting working hours to reasonable numbers.
- Establishing long-term trade partnerships, assisting producers with management skills development, product design, improved access to markets, and providing financial and technical assistance.
- Encouraging sustainable use of natural resources.
