WHAT IS FAIR TRADE?
Over recent years the goal of many retailers has been to offer ever-cheaper products to their shoppers, and to help achieve this they have reduced the price they pay for their goods. As prices fall something, somewhere along the production line has to give, and frequently it is the people who make the products in developing countries who lose out. In too many cases they receive extremely low wages and suffer terrible working conditions.
Fair trade seeks to address this issue by creating long-term partnerships with producers in developing regions and paying them a fair price for their goods so that they, in turn, can provide a safe working environment and a living wage for their employees.
By only working with BAFTS registered importers Etiko Fair Trade is sure that the generally recognised "fair trade" standards have been upheld for all of our products.
These standards include:
- Paying fair prices to producer groups, to reflect the true cost of production.
- Ensuring individual workers receive fair wages.
- Ensuring favourable working conditions for employees.
- Reducing child labour.
- Promoting high / improving product quality.
- Encouraging sound environmental policies.
- Developing long-term relationships with producers.
WHY SHOULD I BUY FAIR TRADE?
The ethical arguments put forward for purchasing fair trade goods are well documented, and have been highlighted above. Buying fair trade means that you can do your bit to make sure that the people who make your goods receive at least a living wage and have minimum standards in which to work.
Whilst this is an admirable motivation - for many people value is still a very important factor when choosing what products to buy. One aspect that is often overlooked when considering fair trade is that the products usually represent excellent value for money.
Fair trade products are often hand-made by highly experienced craftsmen, using high quality materials and environmentally friendly production methods – and as you will see from our shop, they are sold at very competitive prices.
Fair trade products are, therefore, frequently much better all round value for money when compared to similar goods you find on the high street.
SOME FAIR TRADE LINKS
If you are interested in learning more about fair trade issues, we have included some links to websites that you should find helpful:
The British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS) – whose mission is to promote fair trade retailing in the UK.
Ethical Junction – providing information on ethical products and companies in the UK.
Make Trade Fair – Oxfam’s campaigning website which provides some excellent information on current fair trade issues. You can even become an armchair activist by participating in their email campaigns!
The Fairtrade Foundation – the organisation behind the Fairtrade label you increasingly see on food. They also work to raise awareness of fair trade issues.
The International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) – the global network of fair trade organisations.
That’ll do for starters – however if you want even more information the websites listed above all contain links to other excellent sites. Alternatively, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to point you in the direction of other excellent organisations and websites.
Take care, and happy fair trade shopping.
Colin
Etiko Fair Trade
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