What Do You Know About Fair Trade?
You’re probably aware of the fact that a lot of people are protesting Starbucks for their questionable trade practices. Various organizations are even suggesting that people stop patronizing Starbucks’ coffee products to stop the company’s unethical trade protocols.
A lot of people, in an attempt to feel like their doing something relevant, jump to the bandwagon without actually knowing what fair trade is all about. I’m not saying all people who support the cause are blind followers. But you can’t deny the fact that there are people like this.
What is Fair Trade?
Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach directed towards helping producers from developing countries to establish sustainability. Fair trade moves to get small-time producers to get paid a higher price for their produce. Aside from that, the movement is also geared towards establishing social and environmental standards in areas where production is held.
The products
In as much as any product can be covered by Fair Trade practices, certain produce have gotten more publicity than others. Among such products are: coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, honey, cotton, wine, bananas, and fresh fruits.
Sustainable Development
Fair Trade actually aims to somehow resolve issues of poverty by promoting sustainable development. If small-time farmers are given fair prices for their produce, they’ll be able to further enhance their production and better their chances of growing their business. In the process of getting their business off the ground, they also improve their income, as well as their lives, in the long run.
Gender Equality
Aside from simple bettering the lives of commodity producers, Fair Trade also deals with gender equality issues in the work place. Concerns were previously raised regarding women being under-appreciated and underpaid in the workplace. Fair Trade ensures that the contributions of women in terms of labor and production is properly acknowledged and compensated for.
Safety Hazards
Fair Trade aims to make the workplace safe for all people concerned in production. This is why the social movement pushes for more environment-friendly production practices.
Hopefully, this will help you gain a little more insight on what Fair Trade really is. If you’ve got ideas you’d like to share regarding Fair Trade, or any establishment who you think are observing or breaking Fair Trade practices, do feel free to share them over at the comments section.
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