Fairtrade

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional international trade.

The Fairtrade mark on the goods you buy guarantees a fairer deal for workers in developing countries. It is a trading partnership, which aims at sustainable development for excluded and disadvantaged producers. It seeks to do this by providing better trading conditions, raising awareness and campaigning.

The Issues

The Fairtrade movement seeks to improve the livelihoods and well-being of producers by improving market access, strengthening producer organisations, paying a better price and providing continuity in the trading relationship.

Fairtrade also promotes development opportunities for disadvantaged producers, especially women and indigenous people, and seeks to protect children from exploitation in the production process.

With Fairtrade, consumer power matters. Because of this, the Fairtrade movement is committed to raising awareness among consumers of the negative effects on producers of international trade, so that they can exercise their purchasing power positively.

What can I do?

Look out for Fairtrade products in your local supermarket, such as coffee, tea, bananas and honey. Delicious products available include Organic Mexican Honey, Equal Exchange chocolate covered Brazil nuts, Organic Cocoa, Cafédirect coffee and Green & Black organic milk chocolate.

Fairtrade bananas are already widely available in Sainsbury's, Co-op and Waitrose stores, but pressure is needed to encourage Tesco, Asda and Morrison's to follow suit.

Ask your local supermarket to stock Fairtrade bananas. Ask local store managers about their Fairtrade policy and get your request passed up the line to Head Office.

Every supermarket branch has customer comment cards, which you can fill in stating your concerns. They are read carefully and do influence product decisions. So please spread the word!

Nearly all Tesco Windward Island bananas are from Dominica and both farmers and government there are very keen to expand Fairtrade. However, as Tesco is virtually their only market, they are held back by the chain's apparent lack of interest in Fairtrade. Only you can help change this...

ASDA previously stocked Fairtrade bananas in only 2 of their 240 stores. But, as a result of consumer pressure organised by Banana Link, 30 new Asda stores started stocking Fairtrade bananas in the autumn. However, that still leaves 208, so make your views heard.

Why is it important to UNISON members?

Fairtrade means decent working conditions for workers in developing countries, fair wages, health & safety standards, security of long term contracts, fair terms of trade and guaranteed better prices.

It also means better consumer choice for you - and gives you the chance to exercise your consumer power.

As a UNISON member, you can show solidarity with your fellow workers across the world, who are working to put the food on your table. Just think how much better your food will taste if you know that it was produced fairly.