World Fair Trade Day - May 14th

I think it’s fair to say that a sizeable portion of the American population never really thinks about where their wearables and other accessories come from unless they’re complaining about it, let alone who makes them. Although global trade has been conducted for centuries (I had to think back to high school history for that – spice trade, anyone?!?), it has reached the point where we now call it a “global economy.” There has been woven a web of interdependence and with that, unfortunately, often comes the exploitation of people and their labor in a not-so-noble effort to increase profits. Some would argue that by setting up factories in less-developed countries we are providing employment opportunities to people who wouldn’t otherwise have them.

Okay, but at what cost to them?

In many cases, they are not protected by labor and safety laws. Nor are they paid fairly. Working long hours leaves them little time to preserve their cultural traditions, including the production of artisan goods. They have little to no voice regarding the terms and conditions of their labor. The cold truth is that many of the workers who mass produce the stuff we use everyday are considered disposable and are readily replaceable. And because they are generally undereducated they don’t know any better, which is why the word “exploitation” is so apt in this context. Ugh.

But! The Fair Trade movement has been gaining steam, and in the spirit of all that is good and compassionate about human nature I encourage you to consider choosing Fair Trade products whenever possible. Here are a few reasons why:

• Fair Trade means what you buy matters. By choosing Fair Trade products, you are not only accessing high quality products, you are making a difference in the lives of the people who grow the food you eat and the goods you use. You are empowering the artisans by giving them an opportunity to move from poverty toward economic independence.
• Fair Trade connects you with other cultures. Fair Trade products are unique to the places they come from and the people who make them. Farmers and artisans are involved in the entire process, and Fair Trade products reflect the people and cultures they come from.
• Fair Trade means high quality goods. Artisans take pride in their work. Crafts are often handmade, which translates into closer attention to detail and in the end higher-quality products.
• Fair Trade means fair pay and working conditions for farmers and producers. Fair Trade products are made in safe and healthy working conditions, where farmers and producers receive a fair price and have a voice in how their workplace is run.
• Fair Trade is better for the environment. Fair Trade supports sustainable practices that minimize our environmental footprint.

 Sources: http://www.fairtraderesource.org/, http://www.fairtradefederation.org/

We can’t stop the global economy machine, but we can make choices that position our fellow global citizens to be successful in the context of their cultures. So, in honor of World Fair Trade Day let’s celebrate their contributions!