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FAIR
TRADE PRINCIPLES
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.
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.
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.
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.
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