What is Fair Trade? Principle 3: Fair Trade Practices
The organisation must have concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalised producers. It is responsible and professional in meeting its commitments in a timely manner. Suppliers respect contracts and deliver products on time and to the desired quality.
What are Fair Trade Practices?
Fair Trade practices are the way in which a Fair Trade business operates. This includes things like paying on time and sticking to order commitments. It is more than just being ethical. The concept of ethical is based on doing no harm. Fair Trade business practices go further, for all parties to show active concern for the well being of the people they are working with, and the environment they are working within.
Anyone who has ever been involved in running their own business would know how important getting paid on time can be. If this is crucial for us in a wealthy country like Australia, imagine how much more critical it is for a family bread winner who is relying on that payment to feed their family that week.
For Fair Trade makers, the concept of Fair Trade practices also help them to understand what is required of an enterprise selling into international markets. If they wish to be paid fairly, they must produce a quality product in a timely manner, for the business model to work. This basic concept of fairness, quality product for fair pay, helps all parties to rely on each other and continue to build out a business over the longer term.
All of the Good Things Supports Fair Trade
Our philosophy is first and foremost, to do no harm to people or the planet. Then we choose to do what we can to have a positive impact. That’s when we get the really good feels. Then we know we are nudging the dial towards a world full of optimism, joy and fun for everyone.
Our first choice is to source from Fair Trade suppliers wherever possible.
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