Freetrade results in child labour being used, in sweatshop work conditions, in less than living wages being paid. Fairtrade shows up that paying a higher price for basic products results in huge benefits to communites. Freetraders don’t turn down huge subsidies or operating unfair trading practises. They are happy to interfere with market prices and competition when it suits them. But they don’t want to have any conscience when it comes to paying their workers properly and providing good conditions of employment.
Consumers want to buy from socially responsible companies these days and Fairtrade is one example of a socially responsible label. Plans for Green and Social Stock Exchanges are being discussed on Creative Cafe at the moment.
Jill Goble
Volunteer Organiser
Creative Cafe
http://creativecafe.org.uk