What is fair trade?
Published: 16:47 | 27.10.
Fair Trade is a global movement based on the idea that all international trade should follow basic ethical rules and principles. It directly aids producers in developing countries. The concept consists of three aspects: economic, social and ecological. Economic - producers of Fair Trade products receive payment, which reflects the labor put into the product and allows for a decent livelihood. Social - employees in a fair trade company are guaranteed a legal minimum wage as well as basic social and health needs. Ecological – fair trade products should be environmentally friendly and manufactured in a way that is also environmentally friendly.
Requirements for Fair Trade and How to Know if a product is Fair Trade
Products are certified by the international organization Fair-Trade Labelling Organizations (FLO):
Products are certified by the international organization, Fair-Trade Labelling Organizations (FLO): certification through FLO is based on clear standards for each certified product (coffee, cocoa, tea, rice, bananas, sugar, etc.) and it focuses primarily on food products. The certificate is based on the standards mentioned above and can be granted to a specific product, not only to manufacturers or importers. The standards established by FLO also include a minimum purchase price for each raw material. A product certified with the trademark "FAIRTRADE®" is in accordance with the Fair Trade standards. For more information please go to www.fairtrade.net and www.fairtrade-asociace.cz (Association of Fair Trade).
Fair Trade products from Member Organizations of IFAT:
IFAT is the International Federation for Alternative Trade (a global networking of Fair Trade Organizations). Member organizations must comply with standards set out by the IFAT which are similar to those of the FLO, including a ban on forced child labour, environmental friendly production methods, social and economic aspects, and compliance with labour law in accordance with ILO. Members complying with these standards may use the logo "Fair Trade Organizations". The Organizations are certified, not the individual products, and are checked for compliance with the rules not only by selected individuals but also through the written opinions of both the producers and individual organizations. For more information please go to www.ifat.org and the www.fairtrade-asociace.cz.
Ethical trade products:
People in Need can be counted among the charitable organizations which sell ethical trade products in Namibia. These products should comply with rules which are similar to those which comply with Fair Trade Organizations standards, but in this case there is no international organization with oversight control. These products are not independently certified, and it is up to the individual organizations or companies that are selling ethical-trade products to maintain these standards. For more information please go to www.fairtrade-asociace.cz.
