100% Guilt Free Shopper Campaign

*taken from wto-asia.com

1. I am a shopper against child and forced labor

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has estimated that 250 million children between the ages of five and fourteen work in developing countries. 61% in Asia, 32% in Africa and 7% in Latin America. Many of these children are forced to work. They are denied an education and a normal childhood. Some are confined and beaten. Some are denied the right to leave the workplace and go home to their families. Some are even abducted and forced to work. Fair Trade adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the child on the employment of children and makes sure that there is no forced labor and workers do not work beyond their agreed work hours. It also ensures safe and healthy working conditions with sufficient sanitation, ventilation, lighting, clean drinking water, and first-aid should be available and easily accessed in the workplace.

2. I am a shopper against sweatshops

A sweatshop is a workplace where workers are subject to extreme exploitation, including the absence of a living wage or benefits, poor working conditions, and arbitrary discipline, such as verbal and physical abuse. Since sweatshop workers are paid less than their daily expenses, they are never able to save any money to improve their lives. They are trapped in an awful cycle of exploitation. All kind of products can be made in sweatshops. Fair Trade makes it possible for workers to be paid a living wage, enough to meet their basic needs and to enable them to plan a better future. They are educated about their rights, including local labor laws.

3. I am a shopper against poverty.

Almost half the world over three billion people, live on less than $2.50 a day. According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death. Fair Trade reduces poverty by supporting marginalized small producers, whether these are independent family businesses, or grouped in associations or co-operatives. Fair Trade seeks to enable them to move from income insecurity and poverty to economic self-sufficiency and ownership.

4. I am a shopper against discrimination

In 2004, women's wages in the USA were 76.5% of men's wages. Moreover, it was found out that customers prefer white men over equally-well performing women and ethnic minority employees, who may help explain why white men continue to earn more than other types of employees. If this can happen to one of the most progressive countries in the world, just imagine the inequality that happens in developing countries. Fair Trade values the contributions of women and men. It upholds the principle of equal pay for equal work of equal value. It does not discriminate 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.

The organization provides opportunities for women and men to develop their skills and actively promotes applications from women for job vacancies and for leadership positions in the organization.

5. I am a shopper against environmental decay.

Fair Trade maximizes the use of raw materials from sustainably managed sources in their ranges, buying locally when possible. It aims to use production technologies that seek to reduce energy consumption and where possible use renewable energy technologies that minimize greenhouse gas emissions. It seeks to minimize the impact of their waste stream on the environment. Fair Trade agricultural commodity producers minimize their environmental impacts, by using organic or low pesticide use production methods wherever possible.

6. I am a shopper against unsecure livelihood

Three million disadvantaged producers from poor communities around the world are benefiting from fair trade. Income from fair trade helps poor communities to build houses, create new jobs, and invest in long-term economic ventures to improve their quality of life.

7. I am a shopper against ignorance.

Based on enrollment data, about 72 million children of primary school age in the developing world were not in school in 2005; 57 per cent of them were girls. And these are regarded as optimistic. Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. Communities producing fair trade products/services can afford to build local schools and buy their children books and school materials.

8. I am a shopper against unsafe working conditions.

Fair Trade provides a safe and healthy working environment for employees and / or members. It complies, at a minimum, with national and local laws and ILO conventions on health and safety. Working hours and conditions for employees and / or members (and any homeworkers) comply with conditions established by national and local laws and ILO conventions. Aside from this, Fair trade community-projects also provide medical care for workers and their families, without which, they would remain remote from clinics and health centers.

9. I am a shopper against the loss of cultural identity.

Fair Trade products are unique to the places they come from and the people who make them. Producers and artisans are involved in the entire process, and Fair Trade products reflect the people and cultures they come from.

10. I am a shopper against disempowerment.

Fair Trade doesn't just give aid it actually empowers individual workers, small producers and communities to take charge of their lives. Fair Trade develops the skills and capabilities of its own employees or members. Organizations working directly with small producers develop specific activities to help these producers improve their management skills, production capabilities and access to markets local / regional / international / Fair Trade and mainstream as appropriate. Also, Fair Trade increases the role of the small producers in planning, decision-making and collective bargaining in their enterprises and organizations. This allows them to take control over their future and have greater voice on issues that affect them

11. I am a shopper against businesses that put people last.

Some mega companies all over the world are falling into the trap of greed and abuse of power as evidenced by sweatshops. Fair Trade main asset is people. With so much exploitation and unjust practices that are happening in the global trading system, Fair Trade makes sure that people's rights are championed first before profit.

12. I am a shopper against low quality products.

Fair Trade products are high in quality. Artisans and food producers take pride in their work. Crafts are often handmade, which translates to closer attention to detail and higher-quality products. Fair Trade food is typically organic and availing of seasonal, fresh ingredients, which offers a healthy and safe alternative for you and your family.