Creating opportunities for economically
disadvantaged producers
Fair Trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable
development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers who have
been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading
system.
Transparency and accountability
Fair Trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal
fairly and respectfully with trading partners.
Capacity building
Fair Trade is a means to develop producers’ independence. Fair Trade
relationships provide continuity, during which producers and their marketing
organizations can improve their management skills and their access to new
markets.
Promoting Fair Trade
Fair Trade Organizations raise awareness of Fair Trade and the possibility
of greater justice in world trade. They provide their customers with
information about the organization, the products, and in what conditions
they are made. They use honest advertising and marketing techniques and aim
for the highest standards in product quality and packing.
Payment of a fair price
A fair price in the regional or local context is one that has been
agreed through dialogue and participation. It covers not only the costs of
production but enables production which is socially just and environmentally
sound. It provides fair pay to the producers and takes into account the
principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fair Traders ensure
prompt payment to their partners and, whenever possible, help producers with
access to pre-harvest or pre-production financing.
Gender Equity
Fair Trade means that women’s work is properly valued and rewarded. Women
are always paid for their contribution to the production process and are
empowered in their organizations.
Child Labour
Fair Trade Organizations respect the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child, as well as local laws and social norms in order to ensure that the
participation of children in production processes of fairly traded articles
(if any) does not adversely affect their well-being, security, educational
requirements and need for play. Organizations working directly with
informally organised producers disclose the involvement of children in
production.
Working conditions
Fair Trade means a safe and healthy working environment for
producers. The participation of children (if any) does not adversely affect
their well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play and
conforms to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as the law
and norms in the local context.
The environment
Fair Trade actively encourages better environmental practices and
the application of responsible methods of production.
Trade Relations
Fair Trade Organizations trade with concern for the social, economic and
environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and do not maximise
profit at their expense. They maintain long-term relationships based on
solidarity, trust and mutual respect that contribute to the promotion and
growth of Fair Trade. Whenever possible producers are assisted with access
to pre-harvest or pre-production advance payment.
