October is Fair Trade Month

African women plucking tea leaves in East Africa

Farmers, workers and fishers all over the world face incredible challenges simply trying to earn a living. To compete in today's market, some businesses drive down prices at the expense of these most vulnerable stakeholders. Buying fair trade products is one of the ways producers, companies, shoppers, advocates and organizations can take a stand by prioritizing people and our planet over profit.

Fair Trade is a global movement whose stated goal is to reduce poverty and improve working conditions for farmers and producers in developing countries. This means not only paying producers a fair price for their product, but also advocating for fair wages, guaranteeing a safe workplace and the right to unionize, prohibiting child and slave labor, and adhering to the United Nations charter of human rights. In addition, the Fair Trade movement also works to provide opportunities for global producers to improve their skills, build up their communities, and protect and conserve the environment.

The World Fair Trade Organization, a global association of over 300 Fair Trade organizations around the world, prescribes 10 Principles of Fair Trade that their members must follow in their day-to-day work:

A farmer holds a handful of freshly harvested coffee beans over a full burlap sack

Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers – Enable marginalized, small producers to move from income insecurity and poverty to economic self-sufficiency and ownership.
Maintain transparency and accountability – Find appropriate, participatory ways to involve employees, members and producers in decision-making processes through open communication channels at all levels of the supply chain.
Fair trading practices – Trade with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers without maximizing profit at their expense.
Fair payment – Provide fair pay to producers that may be sustained by the market, taking into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men and to provide a local living wage.

Ensuring no child labor or forced labor – Ensure that there is no forced labor in its workforce. Any involvement of children in the production of fair trade products is always disclosed and monitored and does not adversely affect any child's well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play.
Commitment to nondiscrimination, gender equity, women's economic empowerment and freedom of association – Prevent discrimination in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, HIV/AIDS status or age.
Ensuring good working conditions – Provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees.
Providing capacity building opportunities – Develop the skills and capabilities of employees.
Promoting fair trade products – Advocate for the objectives and activities of the Fair Trade initiative.
Respect for the environment – Maximize the use of raw materials from sustainably managed local sources, reduce energy consumption, minimize greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the impact of waste.