Fairtrade
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Why Fairtrade?
The Fairtrade Mark guarantees producers in the Majority World a fair wage and working conditions, as well as guaranteeing ecological standards.
Products that carry the Fairtrade Mark are guaranteed to meet certain minimum standards. Firstly, small-scale farmers receive a fair and guaranteed price for their product and workers on plantations receive a fair wage. This price covers the cost of sustainable living and production. It is a price that is guaranteed not to fall below a certain level regardless of market fluctuations. There is an obligation to pay partially in advance, when producers ask for it. Workers on plantations receive a fair and guaranteed wage for their work.
On plantations and in factories, minimum health and safety as well as environmental standards must be complied with. No child or forced labour can occur. Democratic working processes and structures are in place. All producers are free to belong to a trade union.
A social premium — a set amount of money which is paid on top of the guaranteed price — is given to producers to invest in the development of their communities.
Long-term contracts are signed between the producer organisation and the trading organisation to allow for long-term planning and sustainable production practices.
Finally, there are a few product-specific Fairtrade standards for each product that determine such things as minimum quality, price, and processing requirements that have to be complied with.
What Products Are Available?
Many Fairtrade products are available on campus, including tea, coffee, snack bars, fruit, hot and cold drinks.
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight is an annual series of events and campaigns undertaken internationally by the Fairtrade Foundation.
In 2007, the LSESU People and Planet Society did a programme of public lectures and campaigning sessions to mark the Fairtrade Fortnight.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 will be held between 25th February and 9th March 2008. Check back here for updates on what will be happening at LSE, and email su.soc.peopleandplanet@lse.ac.uk and su.environment@lse.ac.uk to find out more!
