Consider Fair Trade this way!
You are creating opportunities for the economically disadvantaged.
Poverty reduction through trade is a key part of what fair trade endevours to do. Fair Trade supports marginalised small producers, whether these are independent family businesses, or grouped in associations or co-operatives. This enables communities and or individuals to move from income insecurity and poverty to economic self-sufficiency and ownership. By supporting fair trade you are helping people earn a living and more by making sure they earn a fair price for their work.
We work with suppliers that involve employees, members and producers in its decision-making processes thus being transparent and accountable.
Fair Trade recognises, promotes and protects the cultural identity and traditional skills of small producers as reflected in their craft designs, food products and other related services. It is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity for producers - farmers, artisans and workers.
Fair Trade means a fair price, one that has been mutually agreed by all through dialogue and participation, which provides fair pay to the producers and can also be sustained by the market. Where Fair Trade pricing structures exist, these are used as a minimum. Fair pay means provision of socially acceptable remuneration (in the local context) considered by producers themselves to be fair and which takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men.
Today's consumer is looking for cheap products, unfortunately this creates the very environment fair trade is trying to negate. Namely small producers having limited access to markets, and are dependent on others to get the products to the market. This ensures more often than not less remuneration for their work. Endemic in the work place for millions is low pay, unsafe working environments and poor living conditions.
We believe that by supporting the communities, we work with that we can make a difference by the fair and ethical choice we make in buying their products, and at the same time raising awareness of Fair Trade principles.