Fair Trade Month

Did you know that October is Fair Trade month? We it is. So what exactly does Fair Trade mean? Fair trade is a financial relationship between producers, sellers, and consumers based on the principle of equity within the exchange of goods. Equity is achieved via creating a platform for trade that is transparent and therefore accountable for the just treatment of all producers. This includes providing market avenues that allow marginalized producers the opportunity to sell, ensuring humane working conditions, and all the while protecting environmental and cultural factors that play into the production process. There are nine main principles by which all fair trade abides: create opportunities for marginalized producers, develop transparent relationships, build capacity, promote fair trade, pay promptly and fairly, support empowering working conditions, ensure children’s rights, cultivate environmental stewardship, and respect cultural identity. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate, flowers and gold.The practice of fair trade places the communities involved in both selling and buying products as the primary focus, attempting to create a partnership which is beneficial to both parties.

So why is a anti trafficking organization promoting Fair Trade. Unfortunately most of the companies who are not fair trade certified have enslaved children and are exploiting them in order to make larger profits. It is horrible to see children as young as 3 be treated like animals and be forced to work in factories and fields that are potentially dangerous for them. Child slavery is a serious issue and we need to do everything we can to help fight it.
Please take the time to learn more about Fair Trade. This is one of the ways we can fight the demand of child labor trafficking!
Please visit this website for more information: http://www.fairtrademonth.org