Fair Trade
We often hear about Fair Trade on the world market without having a clear idea of what it means and all the principles that govern it.
We farmers and small workers in developing countries like ours face the challenges of rising costs and an increasingly unpredictable climate, resulting in volatile prices for our goods.
So why choose the fair trade route? A product traded under fair conditions helps to ensure fair and stable prices to producers, to support their activities and allow them to embark on a path out of poverty and above all to ensure the continuity of the supply chain. But what are the principles listed by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) that all entities such as companies, associations and so on involved in Fair Trade are required to follow in their daily activities?
Principle 1: create opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
Principle 2: transparency and accountability
Principle 3: fair and equitable business practices
Principle 4: fair payment
Principle 5: prohibit child and forced labor
Principle 6: commitment to non-discrimination, gender equality, economic empowerment of women, and freedom of association
Principle 7: Ensure good working conditions
Principle 8: ensure capacity building
Principle 9: promote fair trade
Principle 10: respect the environment
What do these points include in concrete terms? I summarize the possibility for producers to have a fair price for the sale of their products and a guarantee of payment, thus being able to guarantee fair working rules avoiding discrimination and child labor, having good working conditions, promoting development and managing the environment.
In this regard, our group and other companies have decided to establish an association that brings together the producers of other spices of Madagascar.
A. PRO. MA. ASSOCIATION OF MADAGASCAR PRODUCERS
The constitution of APROMA represents a step forward for many producers of the central and eastern regions of Madagascar in order to obtain optimal conditions for Fair Trade.
The association promotes Fair Trade in its own territory and in countries outside its borders. This allows it to guarantee to its members the working conditions listed in the 10 points of the fundamental principles of the WFTO.
It is an association made by producers for producers.
In order to involve as many interested entities as possible in this project, the statute allows foreign companies to participate as sympathizing members by supporting the development of this project.
At the moment the number of members exceeds 500 and we are sure that, with the support of our customers, this number will continue to increase.
