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What is
Fairtrade?
Every Fairtrade item sold on this website
is made of Fairtrade Cotton.
Fairtrade
establishes dignified trading relationships
between customers in the UK and producers in
developing countries. It is to change the way that
conventional international trade work, so that
producers receive a fair price for their goods that
at least covers the cost of production, the security
of long term contracts as well as a guarantee of
minimum health and working conditions.*
The first
Fairtrade products hit the supermarket
shelves in 1992. Many people have campaigned
for fairly traded products to be more widely
available, and supermarkets and companies
have listened. Sales of fairly traded products
have increased and the availability and range
of products has risen each year.**
*adapted
from the inside of a Fairtrade
Milk Chocolate bar packaging
**Christian Aid
Why choose
Fairtrade?
Every
product we buy tells a story of a person with hopes,
dreams and fears, just like us.
By buying
their products we become part of their story.
That
story can be shocking.
Can the
products you buy guarantee that:
1) The workers had safe working conditions to do their job in?
2) The workers earned a wage that is enough to survive on?
3) The workers wages were not cut if they fall ill?
4) The workers were allowed even to talk to one another?
Ask your retailer next time you shop.
(adapted from
'Lift the Label' by David Westlake and Esther Stansfield)

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What is Ethical?
Every Ethical item on this website has the
following standards:
EMPLOYMENT IS FREELY
CHOSEN~
These is no use of
forced labour,
slavery, bonded labour or prison labour.
CHILD LABOUR IS
NEVER USED~
Only workers above the
age of
18 years are employed.
FREEDOM OF
ASSOCIATION~
The right of all
workers to bargain
collectively is recognised
WORKING
CONDITIONS~
A safe and hygienic
working
environment is provided.
Adequate measures are
taken to
prevent accidents and injury to health.
All workers are
insured for injuries
sustained by accidents during work.
Workers are given
safety training.
Physical abuse, the
treat of physical
abuse, unusual punishments or other
harassment is
strictly prohibited.
Access to clean toilet
facilities,
cafeteria and potable water is provided.
WAGES~
The wages and benefits
paid for a
standard working week is AT LEAST
the minimum required to be
paid
under the national labour laws.
All workers are
covered by the national
Social Insurance scheme and the company
contributes 60% of the premium paid.
WORKING HOURS~
Workers are not
allowed to work more
than 48 regular hours per week in
accordance with the
national labour laws.
At least one day off
is given every week.
Overtime if any is
always voluntary and
paid at double the normal wage.
Overtime never exceeds
6 hours a week.
NO
DISCRIMINATION~
There is no discrimination in hiring,
promotion or termination based on
race,
religion, social background, political views,
gender disability or any other
characteristic.

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