Marion Hagstrom
Special to In Motion
Right now, about 800 million people survive on a dollar a day. Can you imagine doing physical labor from sunrise to sunset and only getting paid a single dollar?
Farmers in Third World countries don’t have the option to walk away from unfair deals like this. That is why Fair Trade — which ensures producers are paid fairly — helps their community, provides quality goods and is the best solution to a worldwide problem.
Without a way out of unethical trade deals, the cycle of poverty continues and child labor is often used so a family can survive low wages. The “Fair Trade Certified” logo ensures that product is combatting the cycle of poverty and unethical trade. The Fair Trade trademark indicates a company is putting people and the planet first.
Fair Trade helps the economy of both the United States and Third World communities because even a small change in the price of the good results in a larger part of that product’s price going directly to the farmers who made it.
To earn a “Fair Trade” label certain criteria must be met to ensure farmers, and others, are paid a livable wage for a quality product. Anne O’loughlin, president of a Fair Trade fashion business explains, “The world needs a harmonious balance between Free and Fair Trade in which poor nations on a macro level and lower class workers on a micro level can all flourish.”
So what does fair trade have to offer? Sometimes Fair Trade USA sends ambassadors to evaluate how Fair Trade effects communities. It updates the price farmers deserve for their goods. Tools are given to help the industry and teachers show them how to sustainably develop their land. Such oversight stops child labor and demands women are treated properly in the workplace, reducing harassment. Fair Trade USA fights against slave labor making sure products with the label are produced by people who are in charge of choosing their work and if they want to do business with Fair Trade in the first place.
Another way Fair Trade helps communities is by offering viable alternatives to the drug trade. One of the most famous and successful of these is the Panama hat. Producers of drugs in Central and South America were persuaded to turn from illegal activities to a profitable, artisan handcraft. Thus, Panama hats as a global product were born and the idea took off, improving the economy of those countries.
Although Fair Trade has nothing but good to offer, it sometimes is passed up because of its more expensive price. Although such items are more costly, that money changes lives. And Fair Trade goods are often of better quality, a result of increased organic farming and other improved practices paid for by the higher price. A chocolate bar sold for 4 cents more gives a farmer a 20 percent increase for the materials sold to make the bar.
Those who truly want to help Third World communities should buy Fair Trade products. The Fair Trade Federation has a long list of Fair Trade stores. One of the most popular on this list is “Ten Thousand Villages” in Winter Park, a certified store selling everything from handcrafts to fashion.
If not a specific store, you can always shop for brands that employ Fair Trade. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream is a popular choice. Coffee lovers can purchase a large number of Fair Trade coffees or visit shops that serve such brands.
Overall, Fair Trade is economical, environmentally friendly and most of all ethical. It helps Third World farmers build their communities and stops injustices around the world. If you really want to change the world for the better, just look for the logo.