Put simply,
by only purchasing from fair trade brands and companies, consumers are able to make sure that the products of their consumerism did not come from a sweatshop or harm the environment.
by only purchasing from fair trade brands and companies, consumers are able to make sure that the products of their consumerism did not come from a sweatshop or harm the environment.
This simple definition is the most basic that can be given though it is hard to understand without knowing what a "sweatshop" is. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a sweatshop is "a shop or factory in which employees work for long hours at low wages and under unhealthy conditions." These "unhealthy conditions" can include human trafficking; child labor, often employing those as young as 7 or 8 years old; verbal, sexual, or physical abuse, dangerous equipment and facilities, and lack of the most basic protective gear and clothing. The wages for these workers' unreasonable hours of strenuous physical labor in dangerous conditions is often as low as 78 cents a day. Without the oversight that strict fair trade regulations provide, the products we use and clothes we wear are very likely the result of someone else's tears and sweat. Whether we Americans are unaware of this probability or whether we choose to ignore it, we are all responsible for the oppression of those who supply our material goods. |
Not only are the workers in these conditions denied the clothing to protect them from their environment, but these workers are often subject to harmful chemicals such as pesticides. According to The World Count, "in a survey from Benin, West Africa, 45 percent of cotton farmers said they used pesticide containers to carry water, and 20–35 percent used them to hold milk or soup. Another study found that 86 percent of households in the cotton industry stored their pesticides in their bedroom."
However, even with the risk and hardship inflicted upon these workers, according to Brandon Gaille, "women sewing NBA jerseys make 24 cents per garment." It is also estimated that around "250 million children ages 5 to 14 are forced to work in sweatshops in developing countries," making products that he estimates will sell for nearly twice the salary of the worker. |
It is obvious that this system must change.
So how does fair trade make a difference?
13. L |
To prevent this oppression, fair trade is necessary. Fair trade companies, either by touring factories or through legal systems, hold manufacturers accountable for, as was stated above, the way the manufacturer treats its employees and the environment.
Different fair trade companies do this in different ways, though if you would like to gain a full understanding of the process please feel free to visit our page designed for manufacturers interested in joining the movement. |
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So, after all of this information about fair trade. . . what do we ask of you? It is obvious that something has to be done and that, as it was previously phrased, "it is obvious that this system must change."
The primary question that we hope we have brought you to ask is:
What can I do to help?
Luckily for you, the answer is simple:
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” – Mother Teresa
And that's all there is to it.
Small acts of kindness and caution can have a lasting impact. If you say to me, "if the system is wrong then what can I do?!?" then I will simply remind you, "The system is made up of people. As an American, you are a part of that system. By all means, show those around you love and humanity and make sure that you, yourself, stop supporting the practices brought about by ignorant consumerism"
Please, with everything you buy, be cautious!
The first step:
Do the very best you can to ALWAYS buy fair trade. The idea is that, with enough people choosing to buy fair trade and the not fair trade items gradually failing, the gist will eventually be sent to the companies that control sweatshops and going through the fair trade process will become culturally expected. Unfortunately, however, buying fair trade everything all the time is not always humanly possible, though as the movement grows, more fair trade companies will spring up and more things will become much more accessible.
Note: we typically consider things made in the United States and other developed areas, such as England or Japan (which have labor laws in place to protect workers and, very importantly, the ability to enforce those laws), safe from the risk of sweatshop labor. Please be very careful when it comes to reading labels. The product stating that it is, "based in Iowa" by no means means that it was made in Iowa. Most kinds of products are required to state where it was actually made. Be wary.
The second step:
When anyone asks you, "why do you buy all of those fancy fair trade grass-fed thing-a-ma-jigs?" kindly and patiently explain to them the cause and try to help them understand and become better. Maybe even point them in our direction. This is where the humanity and grace are key.
Thus, through an easy, two-step process, you, too, can live a fair trade safe life and together, we can change the system.
The primary question that we hope we have brought you to ask is:
What can I do to help?
Luckily for you, the answer is simple:
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” – Mother Teresa
And that's all there is to it.
Small acts of kindness and caution can have a lasting impact. If you say to me, "if the system is wrong then what can I do?!?" then I will simply remind you, "The system is made up of people. As an American, you are a part of that system. By all means, show those around you love and humanity and make sure that you, yourself, stop supporting the practices brought about by ignorant consumerism"
Please, with everything you buy, be cautious!
The first step:
Do the very best you can to ALWAYS buy fair trade. The idea is that, with enough people choosing to buy fair trade and the not fair trade items gradually failing, the gist will eventually be sent to the companies that control sweatshops and going through the fair trade process will become culturally expected. Unfortunately, however, buying fair trade everything all the time is not always humanly possible, though as the movement grows, more fair trade companies will spring up and more things will become much more accessible.
Note: we typically consider things made in the United States and other developed areas, such as England or Japan (which have labor laws in place to protect workers and, very importantly, the ability to enforce those laws), safe from the risk of sweatshop labor. Please be very careful when it comes to reading labels. The product stating that it is, "based in Iowa" by no means means that it was made in Iowa. Most kinds of products are required to state where it was actually made. Be wary.
The second step:
When anyone asks you, "why do you buy all of those fancy fair trade grass-fed thing-a-ma-jigs?" kindly and patiently explain to them the cause and try to help them understand and become better. Maybe even point them in our direction. This is where the humanity and grace are key.
Thus, through an easy, two-step process, you, too, can live a fair trade safe life and together, we can change the system.
Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. -George Bernard Shaw
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10. A
You know, if you happen to be high school (or even middle school) aged then please check us out. helping us alert as many people as is possible is, truly, a great way to help.
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