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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.
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Transparency and accountability
Fair Trade involves transparent management and
commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully
with trading partners.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The environment
Fair Trade actively encourages better environmental
practices and the application of responsible methods
of production.
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Trade Relations
Fair Trade Organizations trade with concern for the
social, economic and environmental well-being of
marginalized small producers and do not maximize
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.