What is Fair Trade and why does it matter?
When we hear about ethical fashion we often hear the term “fair trade” too. In fact, in one of our previous posts, we have given a little definition to this term. But this time we are going to immerse ourselves a little bit more into this philosophy.
According to the World Fair trade organization, “Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers”.
Fair trade is about conscious prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for and workers in the developing world. It also addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which is being discriminating the poorest, weakest producers for many years. It helps them to improve their lot and have more control over their lives.
This term is used to describe a brand or an individual product that has been certified and labelled by an independent organization because it meets certain standards. The general goals of these standards are to support producers from underdeveloped countries through trading, protection of workers’ rights, preservation of the environment, and the promotion of sustainability.
Sometimes, we just go to buy because we like something and it’s cheap. But have you stopped to think why the price is so low? How much is the people who worked on these items being paid? Are they being well-treated?
We have to remember there is people behind the clothes or articles we use. If you start shopping consciously and reading the hang tags you will know the brand and you can search by internet little time the biography of the brand, values and people behind.
The price is quite important to determinate the value of workers, process, materials and environment. It is a good step to begin helping small entrepreneurs, environment, and basic rights.
It’s a pleased for Graciela Huam group to say that we work with manufacturers that is fair trade certified in Peru, so you can see into what kind philosophy and goals we follow. We believe as we’ve mentioned before that our commitment isn’t just with the final costumers but with the artisans, all the workers in the process, and the environment we live in.
Do you join us?
Thank you for reading,
Coral Castro.