International Fairtrade Towns Google Discussion Group
The launch of the new International Fairtrade Towns website will go live on Tuesday, 14th July. Spread the word! Visit: http://www.fairtradetowns.org
Furthermore, a Ning site up and running. This new site with its many interactive facilities will eventually replace the function of the International Fairtrade Towns Google Discussion Group. As well as being an informative site providing best tools, materials, reports, films and other Fairtrade Town specific information.
View the Ning site: http://fairtradetowns.ning.com
About International Fairtrade Towns Group
A discussion forum for anyone interested in Fairtrade Towns and in sharing ideas, best-practice and information with enthusiasts around the world. Learn more at: http://groups.google.com/group/international-fairtrade-towns
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Bid to Revive Doha Is Doomed to Failure
By Anne Seith in L'Aquila, Italy
Spiegal Online (Germany)
(7/10)
At the G-8 summit in L'Aquila, the Western industrial nations have pledged to revive the Doha round of WTO trade talks. But what is being sold as a breakthrough is actually a mirage -- it will hardly be possible to revive the fatally stalled talks.
Pascal Lamy has had, professionally at least, little to smile about in recent years. As head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), he has had to watch the Doha round of trade talks, whose aim is to reduce global trade barriers, run into the sand. The negotiation round began in 2001 and is still going on today -- at least in theory.
In that respect, few would grudge Lamy his appearance at this week's three-day G-8 summit in L'Aquila, which finishes Friday. The group of major industrialized nations had obviously decided to make him the center point of a success story. After making abundant verbal commitments to free trade, the leaders of the G-8 states -- the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, Britain, Italy, France and Russia -- are now trying to achieve something slightly more concrete in L'Aquila.
In a joint declaration released Thursday, the G-8 members and the G-5 group of emerging economies -- Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa -- said they were "committed" to seeking a conclusion to the stalled Doha round by 2010. The statement also said the G-8 and G-5 would task their trade ministers to meet ahead of September's G-20 summit in the US city of Pittsburgh in a bid to get the deadlocked talks back on track.
But only a few of the parties involved believe that the ambitious goals are actually attainable.
The nations of the world are currently imploring each other on an almost weekly basis not to respond to the global crisis with protectionist measures. But at the same time, import duties are being increased and new subsidies invented all around the world. In particular, countries have taken measures to protect industries such as manufacturing and steel production, with their numerous jobs. Russia, for example, has raised import duties on cars and trucks by around 30 percent.
Admittedly, most of these measures do not violate existing WTO principles. Nonetheless, Lamy has been relentlessly warning against what is clearly a new wave of economic nationalism. He recently told the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung that he and the World Trade Organization were "like a canary in the coal mine." He said they begin to "flap our wings wildly if toxic gases are around. In other words, our task is to make sure that protectionist practices by certain countries are recognized as such."
Spiegal Online (Germany)
(7/10)
At the G-8 summit in L'Aquila, the Western industrial nations have pledged to revive the Doha round of WTO trade talks. But what is being sold as a breakthrough is actually a mirage -- it will hardly be possible to revive the fatally stalled talks.
Pascal Lamy has had, professionally at least, little to smile about in recent years. As head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), he has had to watch the Doha round of trade talks, whose aim is to reduce global trade barriers, run into the sand. The negotiation round began in 2001 and is still going on today -- at least in theory.
In that respect, few would grudge Lamy his appearance at this week's three-day G-8 summit in L'Aquila, which finishes Friday. The group of major industrialized nations had obviously decided to make him the center point of a success story. After making abundant verbal commitments to free trade, the leaders of the G-8 states -- the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, Britain, Italy, France and Russia -- are now trying to achieve something slightly more concrete in L'Aquila.
In a joint declaration released Thursday, the G-8 members and the G-5 group of emerging economies -- Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa -- said they were "committed" to seeking a conclusion to the stalled Doha round by 2010. The statement also said the G-8 and G-5 would task their trade ministers to meet ahead of September's G-20 summit in the US city of Pittsburgh in a bid to get the deadlocked talks back on track.
But only a few of the parties involved believe that the ambitious goals are actually attainable.
The nations of the world are currently imploring each other on an almost weekly basis not to respond to the global crisis with protectionist measures. But at the same time, import duties are being increased and new subsidies invented all around the world. In particular, countries have taken measures to protect industries such as manufacturing and steel production, with their numerous jobs. Russia, for example, has raised import duties on cars and trucks by around 30 percent.
Admittedly, most of these measures do not violate existing WTO principles. Nonetheless, Lamy has been relentlessly warning against what is clearly a new wave of economic nationalism. He recently told the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung that he and the World Trade Organization were "like a canary in the coal mine." He said they begin to "flap our wings wildly if toxic gases are around. In other words, our task is to make sure that protectionist practices by certain countries are recognized as such."
Shared Interest looks after the needs of Malawian fair trade producers
The following is a Business Development Update by Rachel Ngondo, Regional Development Executive, AfricaShared Interest Blog
Posted: 10 Jul 2009 08:04 AM PDT
Last time I promised to tell you how the trip I made to Malawi about two weeks ago…
This was my first time to Malawi and I really looked forward to the visit. From Lusaka Zambia it is only an hour’s flight to Lilongwe. When I arrived in Lilongwe I was amazed at the spaciousness of the city. It’s really a nice feeling to be in a city with few high rise buildings and a countryside feeling. And the people are really nice and friendly.
The driver, who picked me up from the airport, said Lilongwe is not the largest city in Malawi as it became the capital city in the 70’s. I could not avoid noticing long queues of trucks carrying bales of tobacco waiting to offload into ware house near the auction house. Malawi is one of the largest producers of tobacco in Africa. In the recent years, farmers have been shifting from tobacco to food products. This is because of high input costs required in tobacco production compared to food products. Also food production in the country has improved tremendously thanks to the government policy to subsidize farmers.
I had an opportunity to visit a groundnut farmers association about 100km from Lilongwe. These groundnut producers are FLO certified and sell to the UK. Some of them have started small businesses, bought cows and improved their homes from the income. They had already harvested the nuts and were now waiting to sell.
From Lilongwe I traveled to Blantyre which is a city south of Malawi and then to Mulanje district about 150 km from Blantyre. It was a really big contrast from Lilongwe. It is cool and very beautiful. At the foot of Mulanje Mountain are lush tea estates owned by private companies as well as by small holder associations. It was one of the small holders associations, Sukambizi, which I had come to visit. Sukambizi Association is the only FLO certified small holder tea producers with about 6000 producers. With the help of Lujeri tea estates, they obtained FLO certification. They had just received their first premium fund and were in the process of selecting their priority projects to implement. It was good to discuss with them about our facilities and they noted that they have spoken to several financiers but they find the Shared Interest lending model as the one that looks after the needs of the producers.
At about 4pm I set off from Mulanje to Blantyre where I spent the night and by 4.30pm it was already dark and very cold! Luckily the hotel rooms are heated, so it was not so bad. I had to set off early in the morning to catch a plane back to Lilongwe and Nairobi. And I kept wishing I had more time in Malawi as there is so much I wanted to see…
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Numi Tea 2 Weeks of Puerh Challenge
Numi Tea
Tue, 07 Jul 2009
From the Artist
I have heard that it takes 2 weeks to break a habit. I have not been able to free myself of my morning cappuccino habit and feel tempted to join the 2 week Puerh challenge. There have been many health affects noted by Eastern cultures in China and Taiwan, and even people here at Numi! Staff member Sere broke her coffee habit by drinking Puerh, while Jade has felt her stomach pains cease and blood flow improve. Rob lost 30 pounds drinking Puerh! Alternative health practitioners prescribe drinking Puerh to lower cholesterol. Young Taiwanese women call Puerh the “skinny tea” for its fat fighting effects. While I drink Puerh regularly all day long, maybe I'll lose those extra pounds by converting my morning coffees to Puerh… I'll report back in 2 weeks…
~Reem Rahim, Co-Founder
2 Weeks of Puerh Challenge
We would like you to try Puerh for 2 weeks and let us know how you feel throughout the experience. To get you started on your two week trial, we are offering 20% off your bagged organic Puerh, available in Emperor's, Mint, Magnolia, and Chocolate
Puerh. With 16 tea bags per box, that's one per day every morning and 2 left over after your challenge is complete. Just type in the coupon code “2WEEKS” at checkout at: NumiTea.com
While you replace your coffee with puerh, write or video record a daily journal about how you feel with the healthier alternative throughout the two weeks. Don't forget that Numi Organic Puerh Tea can be enjoyed hot or iced.
Let your experience be heard! Submit a minimum of 7 entries (with dates and times) to 2weeks@numitea.com. Please include your name, phone number, shipping address, and
photo of yourself with your video or written journal entries. Those whose video or written journal entries get posted on numitea.com will get a free box of Numi Organic Puerh Tea!
Entries absent of the requested information above are subject to void. Please make sure to send everything because we want to know your Puerh experience.
Tue, 07 Jul 2009
From the Artist
I have heard that it takes 2 weeks to break a habit. I have not been able to free myself of my morning cappuccino habit and feel tempted to join the 2 week Puerh challenge. There have been many health affects noted by Eastern cultures in China and Taiwan, and even people here at Numi! Staff member Sere broke her coffee habit by drinking Puerh, while Jade has felt her stomach pains cease and blood flow improve. Rob lost 30 pounds drinking Puerh! Alternative health practitioners prescribe drinking Puerh to lower cholesterol. Young Taiwanese women call Puerh the “skinny tea” for its fat fighting effects. While I drink Puerh regularly all day long, maybe I'll lose those extra pounds by converting my morning coffees to Puerh… I'll report back in 2 weeks…
~Reem Rahim, Co-Founder
2 Weeks of Puerh Challenge
We would like you to try Puerh for 2 weeks and let us know how you feel throughout the experience. To get you started on your two week trial, we are offering 20% off your bagged organic Puerh, available in Emperor's, Mint, Magnolia, and Chocolate
Puerh. With 16 tea bags per box, that's one per day every morning and 2 left over after your challenge is complete. Just type in the coupon code “2WEEKS” at checkout at: NumiTea.com
While you replace your coffee with puerh, write or video record a daily journal about how you feel with the healthier alternative throughout the two weeks. Don't forget that Numi Organic Puerh Tea can be enjoyed hot or iced.
Let your experience be heard! Submit a minimum of 7 entries (with dates and times) to 2weeks@numitea.com. Please include your name, phone number, shipping address, and
photo of yourself with your video or written journal entries. Those whose video or written journal entries get posted on numitea.com will get a free box of Numi Organic Puerh Tea!
Entries absent of the requested information above are subject to void. Please make sure to send everything because we want to know your Puerh experience.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Equal Exchange Awards
Equal Exchange Interfaith Program Newsletter Summer 2009
Mon, 29 Jun 2009
Many organizations have recently recognized Equal Exchange for our unique social mission and our Fair Trade, environmental sustainability, and democratic business efforts.
Equal Exchange’s Interfaith Program received the Best Public Education Campaign in 2008 award from the Fair Trade Federation. The Fair Trade Federation community, including fellow members and the public, nominated us for this special honor.
JustMeans.com and the The Financial Times jointly awarded us their Social Innovation Award. Regarding the recipients of this award, they note, "these are the companies and individuals that are taking action and are having an impact on shaping the new world of sustainable and socially responsible enterprise."
Speaking of sustainability, the Green Business Award from the City of Boston recognizes our new café's green practices. The Equal Exchange Café, in Boston's West End, uses organic, fairly traded, and locally-sourced products, has a comprehensive recycling and composting program and does not sell bottled water.
The Symposium on Spirituality, Values, and Business awarded Equal Exchange the Aaron Feuerstein Spirituality and Business Award, stating, "From the beginning, Equal Exchange has been intentional about its mission, vision, and values and has worked to integrate these ideals throughout the company and to serve as a model for what is possible in the business world."
WorldBlu, a not-for-profit that promotes organizational democracy, named Equal Exchange one of "the world's most democratic workplaces" for the third year in a row for our co-operative structure and work-place participation ( See the "Democracy in Action" article to learn more about our structure).
Co-Executive Director Rob Everts describes how these awards reflect our unique role in current times:
"Right in the mission statement our worker-owners drafted 13 years ago, it says that we seek to 'demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world' and these awards suggest that the world is taking notice and that in the current financial climate, practices deemed idealistic just a few short years ago are, in fact, critical to a truly sustainable economy."
Many thanks to all of you who have worked with us in achieving our mission.
------------
Learn more about Equal Exchange at: www.equalexchange.coop
If you have a question about your order, the Interfaith Program or comments please do not reply to this message. Please send an email to our fabulous Interfaith Customer Service team at interfaith@equalexchange.coop
Mon, 29 Jun 2009
Many organizations have recently recognized Equal Exchange for our unique social mission and our Fair Trade, environmental sustainability, and democratic business efforts.Equal Exchange’s Interfaith Program received the Best Public Education Campaign in 2008 award from the Fair Trade Federation. The Fair Trade Federation community, including fellow members and the public, nominated us for this special honor.
JustMeans.com and the The Financial Times jointly awarded us their Social Innovation Award. Regarding the recipients of this award, they note, "these are the companies and individuals that are taking action and are having an impact on shaping the new world of sustainable and socially responsible enterprise."
Speaking of sustainability, the Green Business Award from the City of Boston recognizes our new café's green practices. The Equal Exchange Café, in Boston's West End, uses organic, fairly traded, and locally-sourced products, has a comprehensive recycling and composting program and does not sell bottled water.
The Symposium on Spirituality, Values, and Business awarded Equal Exchange the Aaron Feuerstein Spirituality and Business Award, stating, "From the beginning, Equal Exchange has been intentional about its mission, vision, and values and has worked to integrate these ideals throughout the company and to serve as a model for what is possible in the business world."
WorldBlu, a not-for-profit that promotes organizational democracy, named Equal Exchange one of "the world's most democratic workplaces" for the third year in a row for our co-operative structure and work-place participation ( See the "Democracy in Action" article to learn more about our structure).
Co-Executive Director Rob Everts describes how these awards reflect our unique role in current times:
"Right in the mission statement our worker-owners drafted 13 years ago, it says that we seek to 'demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world' and these awards suggest that the world is taking notice and that in the current financial climate, practices deemed idealistic just a few short years ago are, in fact, critical to a truly sustainable economy."
Many thanks to all of you who have worked with us in achieving our mission.
------------
Learn more about Equal Exchange at: www.equalexchange.coop
If you have a question about your order, the Interfaith Program or comments please do not reply to this message. Please send an email to our fabulous Interfaith Customer Service team at interfaith@equalexchange.coop
Methodists show "Tons" of support for Fair Trade
By Hope Kolly, Interfaith Program Manager
Equal Exchange Interfaith Program Newsletter
Mon, 29 Jun 2009
Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief's 100-Ton Challenge - which began May 10, 2008 and ended May 9, 2009 - United Methodists have purchased over 82 tons (or 164,000 pounds) of fairly traded coffee, tea, chocolate and snacks! United Methodist churches nationwide placed over 7,700 orders of Equal Exchange fairly traded products and 448 churches joined the UMCOR Coffee Project during the Challenge.
"Although the 100-Ton mark was not reached in quantity as we had hoped, the Fair Trade issue is indeed gaining momentum among United Methodists, so in essence we have met our goal," said June H. Kim, UMCOR's Hunger and Poverty executive. "We are hearing more and more from individual churches who are making strides in their communities to educate others about Fair Trade," Kim continued. "Churches are making just lifestyle choices to positively impact the lives of our neighbors here at home and abroad."
Purchases through the project rose nearly 20 percent from the previous 12-month period, totaling over $1.3 million in sales, despite the weakening US economy. The UMCOR Coffee Project was the fastest growing faith-based partnership with Equal Exchange in 2008.
Purchasers of fairly traded products become part of a partnership that helps farmers strengthen their co-operatives, stay on their land, care for the environment and meet their families' healthcare and education needs. In this difficult economic climate, small-scale farmers need us to continue purchasing their crops.
Members of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Orlando, Florida are active and inspiring UMCOR Coffee Project participants. The church's Nu Class members, an inter-generational Sunday school class, wanted to find a way to support UMCOR, enjoy Fair Trade coffee and become better stewards of the environment at the same time. The group collected monthly pledges from several of its Sunday school classes to purchase Equal Exchange coffee for their group. Last year, FUMC made the switch from buying coffee from a major distributor to Equal Exchange.
Equal Exchange Interfaith Program Newsletter
Mon, 29 Jun 2009
Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief's 100-Ton Challenge - which began May 10, 2008 and ended May 9, 2009 - United Methodists have purchased over 82 tons (or 164,000 pounds) of fairly traded coffee, tea, chocolate and snacks! United Methodist churches nationwide placed over 7,700 orders of Equal Exchange fairly traded products and 448 churches joined the UMCOR Coffee Project during the Challenge.
"Although the 100-Ton mark was not reached in quantity as we had hoped, the Fair Trade issue is indeed gaining momentum among United Methodists, so in essence we have met our goal," said June H. Kim, UMCOR's Hunger and Poverty executive. "We are hearing more and more from individual churches who are making strides in their communities to educate others about Fair Trade," Kim continued. "Churches are making just lifestyle choices to positively impact the lives of our neighbors here at home and abroad."
Purchases through the project rose nearly 20 percent from the previous 12-month period, totaling over $1.3 million in sales, despite the weakening US economy. The UMCOR Coffee Project was the fastest growing faith-based partnership with Equal Exchange in 2008.
Purchasers of fairly traded products become part of a partnership that helps farmers strengthen their co-operatives, stay on their land, care for the environment and meet their families' healthcare and education needs. In this difficult economic climate, small-scale farmers need us to continue purchasing their crops.
Members of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Orlando, Florida are active and inspiring UMCOR Coffee Project participants. The church's Nu Class members, an inter-generational Sunday school class, wanted to find a way to support UMCOR, enjoy Fair Trade coffee and become better stewards of the environment at the same time. The group collected monthly pledges from several of its Sunday school classes to purchase Equal Exchange coffee for their group. Last year, FUMC made the switch from buying coffee from a major distributor to Equal Exchange.
Fair Trade --Achievable in a lifetime?
Posted by Fairtrade Phil
Shared Interest Blog
June 29, 2009
Fair Trade Phil is a guest blogger and the views expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of Shared Interest Society. If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact us with your interest.
When we sit in the shade of a tall tree, we should be grateful to someone who planted the seeds of something they were unlikely to see reach maturity. The seeds of hope are planted with fair trade - will we see them sprout, grow tall and bear fruit? We do not know, but we plant them nonetheless, we tend them and hope they will grow fast and strong.
Fair Trade has been with us now for at least 30 years (Happy Birthday Traidcraft), and it is amazing to look at the work of the pioneers. The original concept and the development to where we are today is simply staggering.
In my view, you can always tell when something new is starting to succeed because that’s when people start to knock it. Given that big business will in general have a big budget for PR, I am somewhat cynical when I see media stories decrying Fair Trade or complaining it is not effective enough. To me, that suggests big business is worried about the competition and what Fair Trade may do to their margins and returns to shareholders! In reality, they should worry little at present, but they should pay more than lip service to trading ethically - it may just turn out to be the major consumer trend of the 21st century.
Why do I consider Fair Trade to be important? Well a good starting point is to consider the role that normal trade has played in concentrating wealth into the hands of a small minority while widening the gap between rich and poor. It gets ever more difficult for those exploited at the production end of the process to do anything to improve their lot. If Fair Trade is to make a significant difference, it needs not only to right this inequality, it needs to ensure that it does not just replace it with a dependency on a few ethical trading partners.
In the ideal world, Fair Trade represents a trading partnership, in which the partners mutually benefit not just from a business transaction, but from a symbiotic relationship, a desire of each to help their partner succeed. Here, the work done by Traidcraft can be held as an example to all. Their trading partnerships have a medium term goal of assisting the supplier develop their business so that they no longer need help. There are many aspects to these relationships, and it is inadequate to view Fair Trade as a term referring only to price or workers conditions. Our organisations have many business skills to pass on - product design, quality control, marketing, finance, to name but a few. In return, we receive products showcasing the very highest levels of skill in textiles, metalwork, woodwork and jewellery.
I’m sure by now we’ve all heard enough about the credit crunch. But for a vast majority of the developing world, the phrase credit crunch could refer to the last 30 and more years. Hundreds of thousands of businesses stagnate or fail because they do not have access to even tiny amounts of credit. One of the cornerstones of Fair Trade relationships is making a significant up front payment to the producer at the time of ordering - this allows the business to buy raw materials without needing to resort to borrowing.
To expand and prosper, however, it is almost certain that at some point a Fair Trade business will need to find a source of capital. For very small businesses, the “Micro-Finance” industry is virtually a door to door lending business in areas where there are no banks. It is by its very nature, a labour intensive and difficult business, and always short of capital to lend. Things can get even tougher for moderately successful businesses looking for development capital. Fortunately, there are organisations such as Shared Interest, who work hard, together with Fair Trade businesses, and this can bring great benefits not only to workers and business owners but to the wider community.
The question has been asked:- Can we claim to have Fair Trade while there remains an enormous discrepancy between the pay, conditions, and opportunities we would regard as acceptable or fair, as compared with those of the producers? Have we achieved Fair Trade anywhere? Well, firstly real progress has been made in public awareness in the last few years, not only awareness of Fair Trade, but awareness of the need for it. Secondly, real lives have been improved - and not just a few, but millions of them. It doesn’t really seem right to think of Fair Trade as a target or goal, because it will constantly change and react to economic and geographic influences. It is better to think of it as a journey, embarked upon by pioneers many years ago and carried on today by a new breed of ethical entrepreneurs (like Ethical Superstore and Mondomundi), dedicated to improving lives and making a real difference. If the overall goals of poverty reduction are to be met, then these new businesses must engage with the public, grow and succeed, but they must also never forget why they exist and why they are different.
Fair Trade Phil
Fair Trade Phil is an ethical entrepreneur who left an executive position in the finance industry to establish a fair trade business. You can read more of his blog postings at: www.mundigroup.com/blog.
Shared Interest Blog
June 29, 2009
Fair Trade Phil is a guest blogger and the views expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of Shared Interest Society. If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact us with your interest.When we sit in the shade of a tall tree, we should be grateful to someone who planted the seeds of something they were unlikely to see reach maturity. The seeds of hope are planted with fair trade - will we see them sprout, grow tall and bear fruit? We do not know, but we plant them nonetheless, we tend them and hope they will grow fast and strong.
Fair Trade has been with us now for at least 30 years (Happy Birthday Traidcraft), and it is amazing to look at the work of the pioneers. The original concept and the development to where we are today is simply staggering.
In my view, you can always tell when something new is starting to succeed because that’s when people start to knock it. Given that big business will in general have a big budget for PR, I am somewhat cynical when I see media stories decrying Fair Trade or complaining it is not effective enough. To me, that suggests big business is worried about the competition and what Fair Trade may do to their margins and returns to shareholders! In reality, they should worry little at present, but they should pay more than lip service to trading ethically - it may just turn out to be the major consumer trend of the 21st century.
Why do I consider Fair Trade to be important? Well a good starting point is to consider the role that normal trade has played in concentrating wealth into the hands of a small minority while widening the gap between rich and poor. It gets ever more difficult for those exploited at the production end of the process to do anything to improve their lot. If Fair Trade is to make a significant difference, it needs not only to right this inequality, it needs to ensure that it does not just replace it with a dependency on a few ethical trading partners.
In the ideal world, Fair Trade represents a trading partnership, in which the partners mutually benefit not just from a business transaction, but from a symbiotic relationship, a desire of each to help their partner succeed. Here, the work done by Traidcraft can be held as an example to all. Their trading partnerships have a medium term goal of assisting the supplier develop their business so that they no longer need help. There are many aspects to these relationships, and it is inadequate to view Fair Trade as a term referring only to price or workers conditions. Our organisations have many business skills to pass on - product design, quality control, marketing, finance, to name but a few. In return, we receive products showcasing the very highest levels of skill in textiles, metalwork, woodwork and jewellery.
I’m sure by now we’ve all heard enough about the credit crunch. But for a vast majority of the developing world, the phrase credit crunch could refer to the last 30 and more years. Hundreds of thousands of businesses stagnate or fail because they do not have access to even tiny amounts of credit. One of the cornerstones of Fair Trade relationships is making a significant up front payment to the producer at the time of ordering - this allows the business to buy raw materials without needing to resort to borrowing.
To expand and prosper, however, it is almost certain that at some point a Fair Trade business will need to find a source of capital. For very small businesses, the “Micro-Finance” industry is virtually a door to door lending business in areas where there are no banks. It is by its very nature, a labour intensive and difficult business, and always short of capital to lend. Things can get even tougher for moderately successful businesses looking for development capital. Fortunately, there are organisations such as Shared Interest, who work hard, together with Fair Trade businesses, and this can bring great benefits not only to workers and business owners but to the wider community.
The question has been asked:- Can we claim to have Fair Trade while there remains an enormous discrepancy between the pay, conditions, and opportunities we would regard as acceptable or fair, as compared with those of the producers? Have we achieved Fair Trade anywhere? Well, firstly real progress has been made in public awareness in the last few years, not only awareness of Fair Trade, but awareness of the need for it. Secondly, real lives have been improved - and not just a few, but millions of them. It doesn’t really seem right to think of Fair Trade as a target or goal, because it will constantly change and react to economic and geographic influences. It is better to think of it as a journey, embarked upon by pioneers many years ago and carried on today by a new breed of ethical entrepreneurs (like Ethical Superstore and Mondomundi), dedicated to improving lives and making a real difference. If the overall goals of poverty reduction are to be met, then these new businesses must engage with the public, grow and succeed, but they must also never forget why they exist and why they are different.
Fair Trade Phil
Fair Trade Phil is an ethical entrepreneur who left an executive position in the finance industry to establish a fair trade business. You can read more of his blog postings at: www.mundigroup.com/blog.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
ACTING DIRECTOR ZAK TESTIFIES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE
Statement by Leocadia I. Zak, Acting Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency
June 24, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 24, 2009) – Appearing before the House Subcommittees on Africa and Global Health and Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, Acting Director Leocadia I. Zak discussed how USTDA's program is spurring economic development in Africa and the creation of jobs here in the United States.
The hearing, entitled U.S.-Africa Trade Relations: Creating a Platform for Economic Growth, looked at how increased trade can serve as an engine for U.S. recovery and Africa's economic expansion. In support of the Administration's goal of sound governance, economic development, and stability throughout Africa, Ms. Zak discussed specific programs that demonstrate the strength of U.S. industry in Africa and how USTDA-supported projects are creating jobs and spurring economic growth in Africa.
"In carrying out our dual trade and development mission, USTDA is unique among U.S. Government agencies in the way it brings U.S. equipment, technology and expertise to bear in advancing economic development and U.S. commercial interests overseas," Ms. Zak testified. "The impact of the global downturn, if unchecked, can have a severe impact on the many humanitarian and economic accomplishments achieved on the continent. Furthermore, in the U.S., it is clear that as markets have contracted for U.S. goods and services, others must be sought to support existing jobs."
Ms. Zak said that U.S. exports benefit both the country with which USTDA partners and the U.S. economy. This approach has yielded an historical return of over $24 in exports of U.S.-manufactured goods and services to Africa for every program dollar expended. Globally, USTDA's program has directly contributed to over $31 billion in U.S. exports in 1981.
Recognizing the importance of small business to the success of USTDA's program, Ms. Zak stated that "small businesses successfully compete for USTDA-funded projects, such as feasibility studies; training; and technical assistance activities" and "are awarded, on average, 50 percent of international contracts associated with USTDA's program that range from $100,000 to $1 million."
Full text of the testimony as submitted for the record is available at http://www.ustda.gov/. (See Below)
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
June 24, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 24, 2009) – Appearing before the House Subcommittees on Africa and Global Health and Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, Acting Director Leocadia I. Zak discussed how USTDA's program is spurring economic development in Africa and the creation of jobs here in the United States.The hearing, entitled U.S.-Africa Trade Relations: Creating a Platform for Economic Growth, looked at how increased trade can serve as an engine for U.S. recovery and Africa's economic expansion. In support of the Administration's goal of sound governance, economic development, and stability throughout Africa, Ms. Zak discussed specific programs that demonstrate the strength of U.S. industry in Africa and how USTDA-supported projects are creating jobs and spurring economic growth in Africa.
"In carrying out our dual trade and development mission, USTDA is unique among U.S. Government agencies in the way it brings U.S. equipment, technology and expertise to bear in advancing economic development and U.S. commercial interests overseas," Ms. Zak testified. "The impact of the global downturn, if unchecked, can have a severe impact on the many humanitarian and economic accomplishments achieved on the continent. Furthermore, in the U.S., it is clear that as markets have contracted for U.S. goods and services, others must be sought to support existing jobs."
Ms. Zak said that U.S. exports benefit both the country with which USTDA partners and the U.S. economy. This approach has yielded an historical return of over $24 in exports of U.S.-manufactured goods and services to Africa for every program dollar expended. Globally, USTDA's program has directly contributed to over $31 billion in U.S. exports in 1981.
Recognizing the importance of small business to the success of USTDA's program, Ms. Zak stated that "small businesses successfully compete for USTDA-funded projects, such as feasibility studies; training; and technical assistance activities" and "are awarded, on average, 50 percent of international contracts associated with USTDA's program that range from $100,000 to $1 million."
Full text of the testimony as submitted for the record is available at http://www.ustda.gov/. (See Below)
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Free Trade, Violence & the Destruction of the Amazon
by Yochi Zakai, Fair Trade & Climate Change Coordinator, Green America
Today at 3:11am
'The struggle of the Amazonians is for all Peruvians'
On June 5, 2009 I was vacationing in Cuzco, Peru awaiting the start of my 5 day hike to Machu Picchu, when I stumbled upon a protest in a small square. It was an impromptu gathering of people allied with indigenous people in the Amazon region who are resisting the privatization of the rainforest for oil and gas development. The effects of rainforest destruction and the use of oil on our climate are well documented. Instead, I’d like to look at why the rainforest is being sold to private companies and its effect on the indigenous people who have lived there for generations.
Why is the rainforest being sold off by the Peruvian government? It all comes back to the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement, which requires the government to allow oil and gas development by multi-national corporations. The protesters I met were demanding that the law granting oil and gas concessions on the indigenous people’s communally held be land permanently repealed.
The small protest is Cuzco wasn’t the only thing going in on Peru. In Lima thousands of people took to the streets demanding the law be repealed. Indigenous people have been blockading the roads that the oil company uses for the past two and half months. As a result, the Amazon region has experienced a shortage of cooking gas and food prices are on the rise. On June 5th the Peruvian President Garcia decided he had enough and moved to clear roads. The communities were armed with sticks and lances; the police with guns, helicopters, shields, and gases. Police attacked the blockaders, killing hundreds of indigenous protesters (according to witnesses, the government reports put it at only 30) and in the process about a dozen police were captured or killed.
In the following days a curfew was imposed and witnesses reported seeing the police dump bodies into the river in the middle of the night. I’m sure when you read this you’ll think, like I did, that these are the kind of things that happened in the 70s and 80s, but not today. It crazy, but it’s true, even in 2009 there are governments that, in the name of defending free trade, are throwing protesters’ bodies into the river. Violence is continuously perpetrated in the name of Free Trade, here in Peru against the indigenous in the Amazon, in Guatemala against banana workers, or in Colombia against union members.
This is the worst political violence in Peru since the Shining Path civil war of the 80s and early 90s, and it comes back to the fact that the USA engages in free, and not fair trade with Peru.
Please ask President Obama and Congress to denounce the Garcia Administration’s violent repression of its people, repeal the unconstitutional “free” trade laws, and open meaningful debate with indigenous communities concerning any development in the Amazon. Take action with the Sierra Club: https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2381
I’m spending this week in Lima meeting with Fair Trade NGOs and furthering a positive trade solution to inequality around the world. Want to help out even more? Shop Fair Trade, not free trade the next time you’re looking for coffee, chocolate, or a hand made gift (remember Father’s Day this Sunday!).
Today at 3:11am
'The struggle of the Amazonians is for all Peruvians'On June 5, 2009 I was vacationing in Cuzco, Peru awaiting the start of my 5 day hike to Machu Picchu, when I stumbled upon a protest in a small square. It was an impromptu gathering of people allied with indigenous people in the Amazon region who are resisting the privatization of the rainforest for oil and gas development. The effects of rainforest destruction and the use of oil on our climate are well documented. Instead, I’d like to look at why the rainforest is being sold to private companies and its effect on the indigenous people who have lived there for generations.
Why is the rainforest being sold off by the Peruvian government? It all comes back to the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement, which requires the government to allow oil and gas development by multi-national corporations. The protesters I met were demanding that the law granting oil and gas concessions on the indigenous people’s communally held be land permanently repealed.
The small protest is Cuzco wasn’t the only thing going in on Peru. In Lima thousands of people took to the streets demanding the law be repealed. Indigenous people have been blockading the roads that the oil company uses for the past two and half months. As a result, the Amazon region has experienced a shortage of cooking gas and food prices are on the rise. On June 5th the Peruvian President Garcia decided he had enough and moved to clear roads. The communities were armed with sticks and lances; the police with guns, helicopters, shields, and gases. Police attacked the blockaders, killing hundreds of indigenous protesters (according to witnesses, the government reports put it at only 30) and in the process about a dozen police were captured or killed.
In the following days a curfew was imposed and witnesses reported seeing the police dump bodies into the river in the middle of the night. I’m sure when you read this you’ll think, like I did, that these are the kind of things that happened in the 70s and 80s, but not today. It crazy, but it’s true, even in 2009 there are governments that, in the name of defending free trade, are throwing protesters’ bodies into the river. Violence is continuously perpetrated in the name of Free Trade, here in Peru against the indigenous in the Amazon, in Guatemala against banana workers, or in Colombia against union members.
This is the worst political violence in Peru since the Shining Path civil war of the 80s and early 90s, and it comes back to the fact that the USA engages in free, and not fair trade with Peru.
Please ask President Obama and Congress to denounce the Garcia Administration’s violent repression of its people, repeal the unconstitutional “free” trade laws, and open meaningful debate with indigenous communities concerning any development in the Amazon. Take action with the Sierra Club: https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2381I’m spending this week in Lima meeting with Fair Trade NGOs and furthering a positive trade solution to inequality around the world. Want to help out even more? Shop Fair Trade, not free trade the next time you’re looking for coffee, chocolate, or a hand made gift (remember Father’s Day this Sunday!).
Seald Sweet to supply Fairtrade citrus
fruitnet.com: The Global Fresh Produce Portal18 June 2009
As of this summer Seald Sweet International will become one of the first groups to source Fairtrade-certified citrus for the US market
Seald Sweet International has announced in a press statement that it will begin importing Fairtrade-certified citrus this year in a bid to further advance the company’s commitment to socially responsible growing and marketing practices.
The deal will see Seald Sweet become one of the first companies in the US to offer Fairtrade citrus, certified by Transfair USA, and sourced from certified grower partners in South Africa.
“We feel it is a privilege and our duty to be part of this movement, which ensures that the growers, farm workers and their families not only receive equitable returns for their products but are also positively impacted by the benefits of this program,” said Mayda Sotomayor, CEO of Seald Sweet International.
“Our commitment to this program is another way we can give back to our grower partners and their communities as a socially responsible way of conducting business.”
Seald Sweet’s partner in South Africa, Mouton Citrus, has been Fairtrade certified since 2007 and through the company MGRO (Empowered Growth) gives direct shareholding to permanent personnel.
On these farms, workers not only share ownership in the agricultural enterprises but their communities also benefit from the social structures that have prospered around the farms, including housing, health care, scholarships and child care facilities.
“We are proud to have this opportunity,” added Ms Sotomayor, “and feel fortunate to be in a position where we can make a difference in the lives of those who play an integral role in our organization’s production.”
Seald Sweet joins several other certified production and global produce companies within the Univeg Group, their Belgium-based parent company, advancing the global Fairtrade movement.
Seald Sweet’s offering of Fairtrade-certified products commences with the summer citrus season and includes navel and Midknight Oranges, clementines and other easy-peel varieties from South Africa.The group also plans to continue developing its Fairtrade program in other regions.
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Learn more about Seald Sweet International at: www.sealdsweet.com
* Mouton Citrus: Company Profile on UniVeg
Unprecedented Victory for Workers across the Developing World
TO: National Labor Committee Key Contacts
FROM: Charles Kernaghan, National Labor Committee
Metro Group, the world's third largest retailer, has been forced to do the right thing.
Metro Group:
* Will immediately return all of its orders to the R.L. Denim factory in Bangladesh;
* Admits to the miserable failure of its past efforts to monitor/protect even the most basic worker rights;
* Will institute significant changes throughout its worldwide supply chain to guarantee that human, women's and worker rights standards are finally respected.
This is a huge victory for the mostly young women workers in Bangladesh, one that could also give hope to workers all across the developing world. The victory of the R.L. Denim workers clearly shows that with the support of international solidarity, workers in the developing world can struggle for their legal rights and win! Up to this point, it has been all too common that workers daring to ask for their most basic rights are fired and thrown out on the street with nothing.
The cowards who beat the young women-the general manager of the R.L. Denim factory and two abusive supervisors-have been fired. Workers are no longer beaten at R.L. Denim. They are treated with respect. Women receive their maternity leave with pay. Workers are now paid correctly. The factory now has a daycare center; a health clinic and a factory dining area have been set up. The workers now have purified water to drink, and the bathrooms are clean and have been supplied with soap and toilet paper.
Best of all, R.L. Denim management has agreed to open its factory to the highly respected local Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity (BCWS) and the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) to guarantee continued factory improvements. The workers will have the right to organize a union.
Everyone who participated in this campaign deserves a Thank You, and a big hug from the R.L. Denim workers! They dared to struggle for their rights, and one major part of the victory was your international solidarity.
In the U.S., the United Steelworkers union played a major role, coordinating with Workers Uniting and the UNITE union in the United Kingdom and the Verdi union in Germany. The German Clean Clothes Campaign and the Romero Christian Initiative played key roles. This was international solidarity at its best-from the R.L. Denim workers and the worker and human rights groups on the ground in Bangladesh to solidarity campaigns in the U.S., Germany, the United Kingdom, Central America and elsewhere.
It is good to win! It's also good to know that the three U.S. staff people of the NLC with two great interns from Carlow University can take on the world's third largest retailer! More than 700 of you wrote letters to Metro Group demanding that they clean up the factory, guarantee respect for worker rights and return all their work-and that workers who dared to struggle not be thrown out in the street with nothing. More than anything else, your letters led to this victory for the workers across the developing world.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Metro Group's Statement
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 4:05 AM
Subject: Statement of METRO Group: Investigation Bangladesh
METRO Group is strongly committed to improving social standards at its business partners. A strict ban on child labour, forced labour and any form of exploitation is a fundamental component of METRO Group's purchasing conditions. As a result, METRO Group was and is very concerned about media reports published in mid-May regarding the death of an 18-year-old worker at a supplier company in Bangladesh. We are deeply saddened by the young woman's passing.
Conducting a thorough investigation of the case was a very important matter to us. For this reason, we dispatched teams to Bangladesh and to our responsible purchasing company in Hong Kong just a few days after the reports on the incident appeared. Under the direction of the corporate audit department, experienced employees from the corporate audit department, quality assurance and procurement as well as external experts conducted an investigation into the incident. The results of this investigation are now available. A central finding is that the woman's death was not related to the working conditions at the R.L. Denim factory.
In addition, the teams on the ground thoroughly examined our procedures and processes in connection with the auditing of the suppliers according to the system of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI). The investigation determined that about 100 audited suppliers in the textile area had not achieved a positive result and, in many cases, a re-audit had not been carried out on schedule. This shows that the most recent case was not an isolated incident. This is something that is unacceptable to us and will result in appropriate measures.
Internal lapses in the information chain in our procurement organisation are the reason for these deficits: Within the audit process, we uncovered shortcomings particularly in the area of inspection and documentation. At times, the prescribed procedure was not followed. As a result, the current incident does not question the system of BSCI regarding the auditing of suppliers, but our implementation.
In response, we have developed a number of measures designed to ensure that such lapses do not reoccur in future. At the same time, the responsibilities of suppliers and METRO Group have been redefined:
* We will ensure that textile suppliers with open re-audits will have signed up for an audit by the end of year and that neglected audits are carried out promptly, or within three months at the latest.
* Within the audit process, we have optimised our procedures regarding inspections and documentation. Through systematic IT support, transparency is to be assured at all times.
* In future, the compliance department will become involved in the auditing process of suppliers. This reflects METRO Group's intention to require suppliers in emerging countries to comply with fundamental social standards.
* We will continue to work jointly with the BSCI to develop adequate processes for initial audits and re-audits that have been modified to the economic capacities of emerging countries. Also in future, we will play an active role in the further development of the BSCI and will submit relevant proposals.
Since our investigation determined that the employee's death was not related to the working conditions at the R.L. Denim factory, we have begun discussions with R.L. Denim about resuming our business relationship. A fundamental precondition on the part of METRO Group for a renewed business relationship was that R.L. Denim significantly improves working conditions. This has been done in the meantime. R.L. Denim has just recently made considerable improvements in critical areas addressed by the initial audit and achieved positive results. This is also the view of independent local organisations in Bangladesh. Insofar, we expect that we will soon resume our business relationship with R.L. Denim and thus secure the jobs at R.L. Denim. The supplier's future development will be supported by METRO Group.
--------------------------
Rüdiger Stahlschmidt
METRO AG
Pressesprecher
Spokesman
FROM: Charles Kernaghan, National Labor Committee
Metro Group, the world's third largest retailer, has been forced to do the right thing.
Metro Group:
* Will immediately return all of its orders to the R.L. Denim factory in Bangladesh;
* Admits to the miserable failure of its past efforts to monitor/protect even the most basic worker rights;
* Will institute significant changes throughout its worldwide supply chain to guarantee that human, women's and worker rights standards are finally respected.
This is a huge victory for the mostly young women workers in Bangladesh, one that could also give hope to workers all across the developing world. The victory of the R.L. Denim workers clearly shows that with the support of international solidarity, workers in the developing world can struggle for their legal rights and win! Up to this point, it has been all too common that workers daring to ask for their most basic rights are fired and thrown out on the street with nothing.
The cowards who beat the young women-the general manager of the R.L. Denim factory and two abusive supervisors-have been fired. Workers are no longer beaten at R.L. Denim. They are treated with respect. Women receive their maternity leave with pay. Workers are now paid correctly. The factory now has a daycare center; a health clinic and a factory dining area have been set up. The workers now have purified water to drink, and the bathrooms are clean and have been supplied with soap and toilet paper.
Best of all, R.L. Denim management has agreed to open its factory to the highly respected local Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity (BCWS) and the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) to guarantee continued factory improvements. The workers will have the right to organize a union.
Everyone who participated in this campaign deserves a Thank You, and a big hug from the R.L. Denim workers! They dared to struggle for their rights, and one major part of the victory was your international solidarity.
In the U.S., the United Steelworkers union played a major role, coordinating with Workers Uniting and the UNITE union in the United Kingdom and the Verdi union in Germany. The German Clean Clothes Campaign and the Romero Christian Initiative played key roles. This was international solidarity at its best-from the R.L. Denim workers and the worker and human rights groups on the ground in Bangladesh to solidarity campaigns in the U.S., Germany, the United Kingdom, Central America and elsewhere.
It is good to win! It's also good to know that the three U.S. staff people of the NLC with two great interns from Carlow University can take on the world's third largest retailer! More than 700 of you wrote letters to Metro Group demanding that they clean up the factory, guarantee respect for worker rights and return all their work-and that workers who dared to struggle not be thrown out in the street with nothing. More than anything else, your letters led to this victory for the workers across the developing world.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Metro Group's Statement
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 4:05 AM
Subject: Statement of METRO Group: Investigation Bangladesh
METRO Group is strongly committed to improving social standards at its business partners. A strict ban on child labour, forced labour and any form of exploitation is a fundamental component of METRO Group's purchasing conditions. As a result, METRO Group was and is very concerned about media reports published in mid-May regarding the death of an 18-year-old worker at a supplier company in Bangladesh. We are deeply saddened by the young woman's passing.
Conducting a thorough investigation of the case was a very important matter to us. For this reason, we dispatched teams to Bangladesh and to our responsible purchasing company in Hong Kong just a few days after the reports on the incident appeared. Under the direction of the corporate audit department, experienced employees from the corporate audit department, quality assurance and procurement as well as external experts conducted an investigation into the incident. The results of this investigation are now available. A central finding is that the woman's death was not related to the working conditions at the R.L. Denim factory.
In addition, the teams on the ground thoroughly examined our procedures and processes in connection with the auditing of the suppliers according to the system of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI). The investigation determined that about 100 audited suppliers in the textile area had not achieved a positive result and, in many cases, a re-audit had not been carried out on schedule. This shows that the most recent case was not an isolated incident. This is something that is unacceptable to us and will result in appropriate measures.
Internal lapses in the information chain in our procurement organisation are the reason for these deficits: Within the audit process, we uncovered shortcomings particularly in the area of inspection and documentation. At times, the prescribed procedure was not followed. As a result, the current incident does not question the system of BSCI regarding the auditing of suppliers, but our implementation.
In response, we have developed a number of measures designed to ensure that such lapses do not reoccur in future. At the same time, the responsibilities of suppliers and METRO Group have been redefined:
* We will ensure that textile suppliers with open re-audits will have signed up for an audit by the end of year and that neglected audits are carried out promptly, or within three months at the latest.
* Within the audit process, we have optimised our procedures regarding inspections and documentation. Through systematic IT support, transparency is to be assured at all times.
* In future, the compliance department will become involved in the auditing process of suppliers. This reflects METRO Group's intention to require suppliers in emerging countries to comply with fundamental social standards.
* We will continue to work jointly with the BSCI to develop adequate processes for initial audits and re-audits that have been modified to the economic capacities of emerging countries. Also in future, we will play an active role in the further development of the BSCI and will submit relevant proposals.
Since our investigation determined that the employee's death was not related to the working conditions at the R.L. Denim factory, we have begun discussions with R.L. Denim about resuming our business relationship. A fundamental precondition on the part of METRO Group for a renewed business relationship was that R.L. Denim significantly improves working conditions. This has been done in the meantime. R.L. Denim has just recently made considerable improvements in critical areas addressed by the initial audit and achieved positive results. This is also the view of independent local organisations in Bangladesh. Insofar, we expect that we will soon resume our business relationship with R.L. Denim and thus secure the jobs at R.L. Denim. The supplier's future development will be supported by METRO Group.
--------------------------
Rüdiger Stahlschmidt
METRO AG
Pressesprecher
Spokesman
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Fair Trade your Café!
Green America's Fair Trade Alliance
Thu, 18 Jun 2009
The Fair Trade Federation has crafted easy-to-use checklists to help your local café, gift shop, or boutique go Fair Trade. Download the lists below, then drop them by your local stores(or use them in your own shop) to see how Fair Trade they are!
Click here for:
* Café
* Gift Shop
* Boutique
Thu, 18 Jun 2009
The Fair Trade Federation has crafted easy-to-use checklists to help your local café, gift shop, or boutique go Fair Trade. Download the lists below, then drop them by your local stores(or use them in your own shop) to see how Fair Trade they are!
Click here for:
* Café
* Gift Shop
* Boutique
Fair Trade Just Keeps Growing, and Growing, and...
Green America's Fair Trade Alliance Newsletter
Thu, 18 Jun 2009
Despite a tumultuous year in the global economy, Fair Trade products experienced major growth in 2008. In these tough economic times, poor communities are the first to feel the impact making the promotion and support of Fair Trade all the more important. Below are some highlights from TransFair USA’s 2008 Almanac, which tracks the growth of Transfair labeled products over the past year:
1. Tea: Production continued its rapid growth from 2007, showing a 20% growth in U.S. import for 2008. 85% of these imports were also organic!
2. Chocolate: Fair Trade Chocolate worldwide has nearly doubled for 2008 compared to 2007. Holiday chocolates (Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Chanukah) are all on the rise, and there is growth from the use of Fair Trade cocoa butter in moisturizers and lip balms.
3. Coffee: Coffee sales showed 2008 imports have growth rate of 32% compared to 2% in 2007, and organic was 18% (compared to a 17% decrease in 2007). Also, Fair Trade coffee sales nearly doubled in Ecuador, Guatemala, Rwanda, Tanzania and Papua New Guinea, with Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya tripling in volume.
4. Bananas: Banana production saw a 250% growth for 2008, revealing that Fair Trade produce is still in demand, amidst rising global food prices.
5. Product Expansion: TransFair USA licensed and certified 100 new Fair Trade producers, bringing the worldwide total to 779 Fair Trade producers (a growth of 14%)!
View TransFair USA 2008 Almanac at: http://transfairusa.org/pdfs/almanac_2008.pdf
Thu, 18 Jun 2009
Despite a tumultuous year in the global economy, Fair Trade products experienced major growth in 2008. In these tough economic times, poor communities are the first to feel the impact making the promotion and support of Fair Trade all the more important. Below are some highlights from TransFair USA’s 2008 Almanac, which tracks the growth of Transfair labeled products over the past year:
1. Tea: Production continued its rapid growth from 2007, showing a 20% growth in U.S. import for 2008. 85% of these imports were also organic!
2. Chocolate: Fair Trade Chocolate worldwide has nearly doubled for 2008 compared to 2007. Holiday chocolates (Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Chanukah) are all on the rise, and there is growth from the use of Fair Trade cocoa butter in moisturizers and lip balms.
3. Coffee: Coffee sales showed 2008 imports have growth rate of 32% compared to 2% in 2007, and organic was 18% (compared to a 17% decrease in 2007). Also, Fair Trade coffee sales nearly doubled in Ecuador, Guatemala, Rwanda, Tanzania and Papua New Guinea, with Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya tripling in volume.
4. Bananas: Banana production saw a 250% growth for 2008, revealing that Fair Trade produce is still in demand, amidst rising global food prices.
5. Product Expansion: TransFair USA licensed and certified 100 new Fair Trade producers, bringing the worldwide total to 779 Fair Trade producers (a growth of 14%)!
View TransFair USA 2008 Almanac at: http://transfairusa.org/pdfs/almanac_2008.pdf
Vacations the Fair Trade Way
Green America's Fair Trade Alliance Newsletter
Thu, 18 Jun 2009
Are you looking for a fun vacation that supports Fair Trade? Many Fair Trade companies and organizations sponsor guided tours that provide enriching cultural experiences in nearly every corner of the Fair Trade world. Travelers witness first-hand the impact of Fair Trade on local producers and how communities have benefited from Fair Trade relationships. Depending on how much vacation time you have, you can pick a tour that lasts a week or one that lasts a few months. And all of the planning has been done for you--taking part in these wonderful trips is as easy as clicking on the link and registering in time!
* Higher Grounds Coffee:
February 22 – March 1 , 2010: Fair Trade and Indigenous Autonomy in the Mayan Highlands (Chiapas, Mexico)
* Another Land Travel:
December 3 - 14: Cal Aggie Adventures & Safaris (Madagascar)
* Global Exchange Reality Tours:
August 7 – 17: Peace, Gender, and the Environment (Ecuador)
August 15 - 25: A New Vision for the Americas (Venezuela)
October 30 - November 9: Fair Olive Harvest in Jenin (Palestine/Israel)
November 21 – 29: Rights of Nature (Ecuador)
* Yachana Gourmet Chocolate Tours:
July through August: Customize Your Own Tour (Ecuador)
*NY Times Featured Video
Picture: Travelers participate in the Olive Harvest Festival in Jenin.
Thu, 18 Jun 2009
Are you looking for a fun vacation that supports Fair Trade? Many Fair Trade companies and organizations sponsor guided tours that provide enriching cultural experiences in nearly every corner of the Fair Trade world. Travelers witness first-hand the impact of Fair Trade on local producers and how communities have benefited from Fair Trade relationships. Depending on how much vacation time you have, you can pick a tour that lasts a week or one that lasts a few months. And all of the planning has been done for you--taking part in these wonderful trips is as easy as clicking on the link and registering in time!* Higher Grounds Coffee:
February 22 – March 1 , 2010: Fair Trade and Indigenous Autonomy in the Mayan Highlands (Chiapas, Mexico)
* Another Land Travel:
December 3 - 14: Cal Aggie Adventures & Safaris (Madagascar)
* Global Exchange Reality Tours:
August 7 – 17: Peace, Gender, and the Environment (Ecuador)
August 15 - 25: A New Vision for the Americas (Venezuela)
October 30 - November 9: Fair Olive Harvest in Jenin (Palestine/Israel)
November 21 – 29: Rights of Nature (Ecuador)
* Yachana Gourmet Chocolate Tours:
July through August: Customize Your Own Tour (Ecuador)
*NY Times Featured Video
Picture: Travelers participate in the Olive Harvest Festival in Jenin.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Global Exchange
Wed, 17 Jun 2009
The dozens of Peruvian indigenous killed last week when police brutally attacked them while they protested a land grab by corporate interests are the latest victims of bad trade agreements. The trail of tears from corporate sponsored trade agreements is long and miserable, but now the 2009 TRADE Act finally gives us a chance to create trade policy that prioritizes protecting workers and the environment while avoiding the damage to workers, communities and the environment.
The 2009 TRADE Act, the trade initiative developed by Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Michael Michaud, sets forth a balanced way to expand trade. It maps a fair path forward to establishing good trade agreements we can support. It shifts the debate toward what we stand for with respect to a new trade model that can deliver the benefits of expanded trade while avoiding the damage caused by past trade agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA, and the recent Peru Free Trade Agreement.
The 2009 TRADE Act moves us past the divisive fights to block bad trade bills and establishes a positive framework for progressing in the right direction.
Please contact your representatives in Congress and urge them to support the 2009 TRADE Act: http://www.globalexchange.org/countries/americas/mexico/CTCTRADE2009.pdf
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See the article: Indigenous Protest and State Violence in the Peruvian Amazon: How the Media Misrepresents
Before dawn on Friday, June 5, an estimated 650 Peruvian National Police and Special Forces officers attacked several thousand Awajun and Wambis indigenous people at their roadside blockade on the Fernando Belaunde Terry highway....
Wed, 17 Jun 2009
The dozens of Peruvian indigenous killed last week when police brutally attacked them while they protested a land grab by corporate interests are the latest victims of bad trade agreements. The trail of tears from corporate sponsored trade agreements is long and miserable, but now the 2009 TRADE Act finally gives us a chance to create trade policy that prioritizes protecting workers and the environment while avoiding the damage to workers, communities and the environment.The 2009 TRADE Act, the trade initiative developed by Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Michael Michaud, sets forth a balanced way to expand trade. It maps a fair path forward to establishing good trade agreements we can support. It shifts the debate toward what we stand for with respect to a new trade model that can deliver the benefits of expanded trade while avoiding the damage caused by past trade agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA, and the recent Peru Free Trade Agreement.
The 2009 TRADE Act moves us past the divisive fights to block bad trade bills and establishes a positive framework for progressing in the right direction.
Please contact your representatives in Congress and urge them to support the 2009 TRADE Act: http://www.globalexchange.org/countries/americas/mexico/CTCTRADE2009.pdf
---
See the article: Indigenous Protest and State Violence in the Peruvian Amazon: How the Media Misrepresents
Before dawn on Friday, June 5, an estimated 650 Peruvian National Police and Special Forces officers attacked several thousand Awajun and Wambis indigenous people at their roadside blockade on the Fernando Belaunde Terry highway....
Friday, June 12, 2009
Frontier Natural Products Co-op First on Fair Trade Certified Organic Spices
The Fair Trade Beat: TransFair USA Newsletter
Thu, 11 June 2009
Frontier Natural Products Co-op is now the first company in the U.S. to offer Fair Trade Certified™ organic spices to consumers and ingredient manufacturers. The 16 new organic spices all hail from Sri Lanka.
The line-up of organic Fair Trade Certified spices includes several grinds of black pepper and whole black peppercorns, white pepper (ground and whole peppercorns), Ceylon cinnamon (ground and sticks), cloves (ground and whole), mace (ground and whole), nutmeg (ground and whole), ground ginger and ground turmeric.
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Introduction by Frontier...
"Frontier is proud to introduce the first Fair Trade Certified™ organic spices in the United States. Frontier began pioneering something that is now called sustainability when it introduced the first certified organic herbs and spices to the market. Like a tiny seed, this idea of ours started out small — but through the devotion and continued dedication and commitment of people at Frontier, we've grown our sustainability model into an industry leading standard. Today, our new organic, Fair Trade Certified™ spices are the latest extension of our commitment to ethical business and social values.
16 New Spices--all Certified Organic-- are available - all from Sri Lanka.The new cinnamons, both Ceylon cinnamon, are in powder and sticks. Additionally, we are happy to offer whole and powdered cloves, ginger root powder, mace powder, whole mace, ground nutmeg, medium, coarse, and fine grind black pepper, white ground pepper, whole black peppercorns, whole white peppercorns, and turmeric root powder. (Please note: some of these spices will not be available until later this month).
We've traveled to Sri Lanka to visit the farmers and assess the benefits their Fair Trade premiums bring to their organizations and communities. We're proud of this connection to these farmers and their families.
Fair Trade
For millions of farmers around the world, Fair Trade means thriving communities, kids in school, and a healthy environment. By purchasing Fair Trade products, you support the farmers who grow and deliver quality tea, cocoa, vanilla and sugar.
Fair Trade Certification.
Fair Trade is the internationally-recognized gold standard for social responsibility. TransFair USA's rigorous audit system, which tracks products from farm to finished product, verifies industry compliance with Fair Trade criteria. TransFair allows U.S. companies to display the Fair Trade Certified™ label on products that meet strict Fair Trade standards. Learn more.
Sip Responsibly.
We're proud to offer a large selection of Fair Trade Certified loose-leaf teas. Every purchase returns a premium directly to the tea workers' communities for projects like hiring school teachers, building maternal health clinics, and bringing electricity to their villages.
Feels as sweet as it tastes.
In addition to teas and spices, we offer Fair Trade Certified vanilla beans and extracts, sugar and cocoa. Helping support farmers has never tasted so sweet."
Learn more about how Frontier Natural Products Co-op is helping producers and connecting you to their stories at: http://www.frontiercoop.com
Thu, 11 June 2009
Frontier Natural Products Co-op is now the first company in the U.S. to offer Fair Trade Certified™ organic spices to consumers and ingredient manufacturers. The 16 new organic spices all hail from Sri Lanka.The line-up of organic Fair Trade Certified spices includes several grinds of black pepper and whole black peppercorns, white pepper (ground and whole peppercorns), Ceylon cinnamon (ground and sticks), cloves (ground and whole), mace (ground and whole), nutmeg (ground and whole), ground ginger and ground turmeric.
---
Introduction by Frontier...
"Frontier is proud to introduce the first Fair Trade Certified™ organic spices in the United States. Frontier began pioneering something that is now called sustainability when it introduced the first certified organic herbs and spices to the market. Like a tiny seed, this idea of ours started out small — but through the devotion and continued dedication and commitment of people at Frontier, we've grown our sustainability model into an industry leading standard. Today, our new organic, Fair Trade Certified™ spices are the latest extension of our commitment to ethical business and social values.
16 New Spices--all Certified Organic-- are available - all from Sri Lanka.The new cinnamons, both Ceylon cinnamon, are in powder and sticks. Additionally, we are happy to offer whole and powdered cloves, ginger root powder, mace powder, whole mace, ground nutmeg, medium, coarse, and fine grind black pepper, white ground pepper, whole black peppercorns, whole white peppercorns, and turmeric root powder. (Please note: some of these spices will not be available until later this month).
We've traveled to Sri Lanka to visit the farmers and assess the benefits their Fair Trade premiums bring to their organizations and communities. We're proud of this connection to these farmers and their families.
Fair Trade
For millions of farmers around the world, Fair Trade means thriving communities, kids in school, and a healthy environment. By purchasing Fair Trade products, you support the farmers who grow and deliver quality tea, cocoa, vanilla and sugar.
Fair Trade Certification.
Fair Trade is the internationally-recognized gold standard for social responsibility. TransFair USA's rigorous audit system, which tracks products from farm to finished product, verifies industry compliance with Fair Trade criteria. TransFair allows U.S. companies to display the Fair Trade Certified™ label on products that meet strict Fair Trade standards. Learn more.
Sip Responsibly.
We're proud to offer a large selection of Fair Trade Certified loose-leaf teas. Every purchase returns a premium directly to the tea workers' communities for projects like hiring school teachers, building maternal health clinics, and bringing electricity to their villages.
Feels as sweet as it tastes.
In addition to teas and spices, we offer Fair Trade Certified vanilla beans and extracts, sugar and cocoa. Helping support farmers has never tasted so sweet."
Learn more about how Frontier Natural Products Co-op is helping producers and connecting you to their stories at: http://www.frontiercoop.com
Peace Coffee: Map My Beans!
Peace Coffee
Where does your coffee come from? Not just from your favorite local grocery store, independent café, mom-and-pop-retail shop, or from the UPS truck that brings your internet order to your door. Not even just from your favorite fair-trading, organic-roasting, bike-delivering, biodiesel-driving coffee roastery. Before your Birchwood gets blended or your Colombian gets dark roasted, the beans come from eight different countries. While there’s no substitute for getting your boots dirty, let this site be a guidebook of sorts to the places and faces at the bottom of your cup. Brew up a fresh cup of Peace Coffee and start mapping!
Where does your coffee come from? Not just from your favorite local grocery store, independent café, mom-and-pop-retail shop, or from the UPS truck that brings your internet order to your door. Not even just from your favorite fair-trading, organic-roasting, bike-delivering, biodiesel-driving coffee roastery. Before your Birchwood gets blended or your Colombian gets dark roasted, the beans come from eight different countries. While there’s no substitute for getting your boots dirty, let this site be a guidebook of sorts to the places and faces at the bottom of your cup. Brew up a fresh cup of Peace Coffee and start mapping!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
TransFair USA named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 100 Brilliant Companies
The Fair Trade Beat: TransFair USA Newsletter
11 June 2009
TransFair USA was named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Brilliant Companies! Look for us under the “Social Responsibility” category: www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/100brilliantcompanies/article201814.html
11 June 2009
TransFair USA was named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Brilliant Companies! Look for us under the “Social Responsibility” category: www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/100brilliantcompanies/article201814.html
Nominate TransFair USA to be on the Working Assets Ballot
The Fair Trade Beat: TransFair USA Newsletter
11 June 2009
Are you a Working Assets/CREDO customer? TransFair USA would like to be on the 2010 Working Assets ballot. To make this happen, we need Working Assets customers (like you and/or your friends and family) to nominate us.
To do that, just go to: http://workingassets.com/nominate and answer some simple questions. It should only take you about 2 minutes. Here are the answers to most of the questions you will see:
* Our website is: www.transfairusa.org.
* The “Development Director” will be Lynn Lohr, llohr@transfairusa.org, 510-663-5260.
* We recommend putting TransFair USA in the “Economic and Social Justice” category.
By being on the Working Assets ballot, TransFair USA could potentially earn thousands of dollars to support our mission to create a more just and sustainable global economy - we really appreciate your help!
11 June 2009
Are you a Working Assets/CREDO customer? TransFair USA would like to be on the 2010 Working Assets ballot. To make this happen, we need Working Assets customers (like you and/or your friends and family) to nominate us.To do that, just go to: http://workingassets.com/nominate and answer some simple questions. It should only take you about 2 minutes. Here are the answers to most of the questions you will see:
* Our website is: www.transfairusa.org.
* The “Development Director” will be Lynn Lohr, llohr@transfairusa.org, 510-663-5260.
* We recommend putting TransFair USA in the “Economic and Social Justice” category.
By being on the Working Assets ballot, TransFair USA could potentially earn thousands of dollars to support our mission to create a more just and sustainable global economy - we really appreciate your help!
Bluffton, OH Becomes U.S. 11th Fair Trade Town
The Fair Trade Beat: TransFair USA Newsletter
11 June 2009
This May, Blufton, Ohio joined other large cities and small towns across the U.S. in supporting Fair Trade by declaring itself a Fair Trade Town.
On May 16th, they celebrated their new Fair Trade status with an arts and crafts festival and multicultural performance including traditional English folkdancing, a children’s singing group, their high school jazz band, a fiddler, Celtic and Hindi singers, an eighth grade idol competition, and salsa dancing to songs from Latin America.
They also held Fair Trade events throughout the week at their local Ten Thousand Villages store and a drum circle in honor of World Fair Trade Day and the Big Bang at their celebration event. Congratulations, Bluffton!
11 June 2009
This May, Blufton, Ohio joined other large cities and small towns across the U.S. in supporting Fair Trade by declaring itself a Fair Trade Town.
On May 16th, they celebrated their new Fair Trade status with an arts and crafts festival and multicultural performance including traditional English folkdancing, a children’s singing group, their high school jazz band, a fiddler, Celtic and Hindi singers, an eighth grade idol competition, and salsa dancing to songs from Latin America.
They also held Fair Trade events throughout the week at their local Ten Thousand Villages store and a drum circle in honor of World Fair Trade Day and the Big Bang at their celebration event. Congratulations, Bluffton!
Spotlight Interview with Maung Maung (FTUB –Burma)
International Trade Union Confederation
‘ There is a continuing, and expanding, round of oppression within the country .’
Brussels, 29 April 2008: General Secretary, Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB) and National Council Union of Burma (NCUB). Maung Maung denounces the current repression and repeats his call, with the support of the international trade union movement, for stronger economic sanctions against the Burmese dictatorship.
What is the current state of oppression in your country, Burma?
“There is a continuing, and expanding, round of oppression within the country. Initially it was only the monks and the monasteries. But now it has spread to the houses of activists. The military have taken the videotapes and camera shots (of the October, 2007 demonstrations) and used them to identity people at the local level and even in the rural areas. So this is where the circle is expanding.”
Would it be fair to say that the international trade union movement and the FTUB are right at the fore of fighting for human rights and democracy inside Burma?
“What we’ve been doing over the last 18-years is trying to raise the awareness of the people. They have the right to express themselves and stand up to the rulers and say ‘this is not fair’. We’ve been doing workshops, training programmes within the community, within the work places, factories and various work zones. For example, we’ve talked about how workers should be represented by an organized trade union, and therefore it’s rightful for you to ask to have independent trade unions in the workplace.
“We are also working with the ILO and ITUC running training programmes on the rights of workers, the responsibilities of trade union members and how the fight for worker rights is also a fight for human rights.”
Then most of this work has been conducted clandestinely, at great risk to the organizers?
Well, there are two phases. First we have workshops and training sessions in bordering countries. These are open workshops, they are not advertised. But the members come out from within Burma. They’re given basic trade union rights awareness, basic workers’ rights issues, international labour standards.
“Then when these people go back again they continue the work clandestinely giving secret programmes and training.
So your trainers and activists are actually risking their lives by doing this kind of work?
“Well recently we had six young people arrested and sentenced to 28-years in Burma because they were trying to hold discussions at the American Center. Before that 13 people were arrested because they were trying to organize a workshop. And back in ’96 we had the same problem where the regime arrested two of our leaders and jailed them for life.
“They are risking their lives, they are risking their lives everyday. People have been tortured. They are under intense pressure. Trade unionists are treated even worse than political prisoners from the NLD (National League for Democracy) or the students. They’re separated and treated very harshly by the regime.”
What kind of punishment and torture have trade unionists been subjected too?
"They are never allowed to have any representation. Their families are threatened. Some of the guys were put in dog cells. They were put together with the prison dogs. Their hands were tied behind their backs so they couldn’t eat with their hands. They were forced to eat with their mouths like dogs. These are the things that our people have to go through.”
So, they’re treated like dogs or worse than dogs?
“They were forced to sit down like dogs. At roll-call they couldn’t stand like a man, they had to sit like a dog and bark like a dog. This is the kind of inhuman treatment given to our people."
Why are the international trade union movement and the FTUB calling for a complete economic boycott of Burma as a weapon to defeat the junta?
“We have to do this. Opponents of sanctions say people will starve to death, people will lose their jobs. That’s correct some people will lose their jobs. But people will not starve to death."
“Almost everything that goes in and out of Burma has to pass through something called Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings. This was set up by the military and is 100-percent owned and operated by the military. Everything — from importing a needle to an airplane, everything – has to go through this system."
"If you look at jade mining, for example, the gems’ business, even tourism, you’ve got to get a license from the military. So it’s the military that’s getting the end profits. That’s why we are saying that sanctions on exports and imports do have an impact on the military. And that is why we are asking for these sanctions."
“We have been told this by people from the very, very ground level, the factory workers, people on the work floor. They have said look just shut it down. Maybe we’ll all go hungry for a month. But it’s better to change the system now, than go on suffering like this.”
What about foreign investors and companies doing business in Burma?
“They say they are giving an income to the people. But you’ll see that employers are cheating the workers. They’re working hand-in-hand with the military regime. They’re not paying workers the correct amount for working regular hours. Workers are forced to do compulsory over-time just to make up their basic wages."
“Workers are being hurt. They do not have the right to any trade union representation. In the textile or garment industry you don’t get maternity leave. If you go for maternity leave you’re out of a job. If you don’t come for overtime three times, you’re out of a job. This is not the kind of workplace that any worker wants.”
In US dollar terms, what is the average wage for a manual worker?
“A day is less than 30-cents. You get less than 30-cents a day.”
So in fact foreign investors are just lying and exploiting the people of Burma?
That’s correct. They’re exploiting the people, and I’ve had discussions like this in The Netherlands, in Europe and other parts of the world. And I’ve asked them to explain why they agree with the kind of wages being paid, and they don’t have any answers.”
Do you feel that your campaign for total economic sanctions will succeed?
“It’s already starting to show an impact. The regime is scrambling hard for foreign currency. They’re having a hard time finding US dollars and Euros. Despite all the investment from China, India, Japan and other Asian countries, the export market is in Europe and America. We’ve managed to block most of the imports into America and now we’re looking to Europe. And if we get Europe and Australia on board we should be seeing results pretty soon."
“The key element is that everybody wants to have a stable Burma, especially the neighbouring countries like China, India and Thailand. I believe that with the wave of support that the international community is showing and with the way that things are taking place in Burma, China and India are starting to realize that they cannot support the regime for ever.”
What do you think the individual trade unionist could do to help your cause?
“First, is to try and keep an eye on what their governments are doing. There needs to be monitoring of who is doing business with Burma. Trade unions should try to keep an eye on whether goods made in Burma are coming into their countries, and if so report it as a breach of sanctions. For example, Dockers can refuse to handle ships carrying goods to and from Burma. Airline workers can refuse to refuel planes coming from Burma. People in the financial services could monitor anything that has to do with the regime. If they see anything to do with Burma, then put up a red flag.”
Interview by David Browne (Parachute Pictures)
The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates.
For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018
‘ There is a continuing, and expanding, round of oppression within the country .’
Brussels, 29 April 2008: General Secretary, Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB) and National Council Union of Burma (NCUB). Maung Maung denounces the current repression and repeats his call, with the support of the international trade union movement, for stronger economic sanctions against the Burmese dictatorship.
What is the current state of oppression in your country, Burma?
“There is a continuing, and expanding, round of oppression within the country. Initially it was only the monks and the monasteries. But now it has spread to the houses of activists. The military have taken the videotapes and camera shots (of the October, 2007 demonstrations) and used them to identity people at the local level and even in the rural areas. So this is where the circle is expanding.”
Would it be fair to say that the international trade union movement and the FTUB are right at the fore of fighting for human rights and democracy inside Burma?
“What we’ve been doing over the last 18-years is trying to raise the awareness of the people. They have the right to express themselves and stand up to the rulers and say ‘this is not fair’. We’ve been doing workshops, training programmes within the community, within the work places, factories and various work zones. For example, we’ve talked about how workers should be represented by an organized trade union, and therefore it’s rightful for you to ask to have independent trade unions in the workplace.
“We are also working with the ILO and ITUC running training programmes on the rights of workers, the responsibilities of trade union members and how the fight for worker rights is also a fight for human rights.”
Then most of this work has been conducted clandestinely, at great risk to the organizers?
Well, there are two phases. First we have workshops and training sessions in bordering countries. These are open workshops, they are not advertised. But the members come out from within Burma. They’re given basic trade union rights awareness, basic workers’ rights issues, international labour standards.
“Then when these people go back again they continue the work clandestinely giving secret programmes and training.
So your trainers and activists are actually risking their lives by doing this kind of work?
“Well recently we had six young people arrested and sentenced to 28-years in Burma because they were trying to hold discussions at the American Center. Before that 13 people were arrested because they were trying to organize a workshop. And back in ’96 we had the same problem where the regime arrested two of our leaders and jailed them for life.
“They are risking their lives, they are risking their lives everyday. People have been tortured. They are under intense pressure. Trade unionists are treated even worse than political prisoners from the NLD (National League for Democracy) or the students. They’re separated and treated very harshly by the regime.”
What kind of punishment and torture have trade unionists been subjected too?
"They are never allowed to have any representation. Their families are threatened. Some of the guys were put in dog cells. They were put together with the prison dogs. Their hands were tied behind their backs so they couldn’t eat with their hands. They were forced to eat with their mouths like dogs. These are the things that our people have to go through.”
So, they’re treated like dogs or worse than dogs?
“They were forced to sit down like dogs. At roll-call they couldn’t stand like a man, they had to sit like a dog and bark like a dog. This is the kind of inhuman treatment given to our people."
Why are the international trade union movement and the FTUB calling for a complete economic boycott of Burma as a weapon to defeat the junta?
“We have to do this. Opponents of sanctions say people will starve to death, people will lose their jobs. That’s correct some people will lose their jobs. But people will not starve to death."
“Almost everything that goes in and out of Burma has to pass through something called Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings. This was set up by the military and is 100-percent owned and operated by the military. Everything — from importing a needle to an airplane, everything – has to go through this system."
"If you look at jade mining, for example, the gems’ business, even tourism, you’ve got to get a license from the military. So it’s the military that’s getting the end profits. That’s why we are saying that sanctions on exports and imports do have an impact on the military. And that is why we are asking for these sanctions."
“We have been told this by people from the very, very ground level, the factory workers, people on the work floor. They have said look just shut it down. Maybe we’ll all go hungry for a month. But it’s better to change the system now, than go on suffering like this.”
What about foreign investors and companies doing business in Burma?
“They say they are giving an income to the people. But you’ll see that employers are cheating the workers. They’re working hand-in-hand with the military regime. They’re not paying workers the correct amount for working regular hours. Workers are forced to do compulsory over-time just to make up their basic wages."
“Workers are being hurt. They do not have the right to any trade union representation. In the textile or garment industry you don’t get maternity leave. If you go for maternity leave you’re out of a job. If you don’t come for overtime three times, you’re out of a job. This is not the kind of workplace that any worker wants.”
In US dollar terms, what is the average wage for a manual worker?
“A day is less than 30-cents. You get less than 30-cents a day.”
So in fact foreign investors are just lying and exploiting the people of Burma?
That’s correct. They’re exploiting the people, and I’ve had discussions like this in The Netherlands, in Europe and other parts of the world. And I’ve asked them to explain why they agree with the kind of wages being paid, and they don’t have any answers.”
Do you feel that your campaign for total economic sanctions will succeed?
“It’s already starting to show an impact. The regime is scrambling hard for foreign currency. They’re having a hard time finding US dollars and Euros. Despite all the investment from China, India, Japan and other Asian countries, the export market is in Europe and America. We’ve managed to block most of the imports into America and now we’re looking to Europe. And if we get Europe and Australia on board we should be seeing results pretty soon."
“The key element is that everybody wants to have a stable Burma, especially the neighbouring countries like China, India and Thailand. I believe that with the wave of support that the international community is showing and with the way that things are taking place in Burma, China and India are starting to realize that they cannot support the regime for ever.”
What do you think the individual trade unionist could do to help your cause?
“First, is to try and keep an eye on what their governments are doing. There needs to be monitoring of who is doing business with Burma. Trade unions should try to keep an eye on whether goods made in Burma are coming into their countries, and if so report it as a breach of sanctions. For example, Dockers can refuse to handle ships carrying goods to and from Burma. Airline workers can refuse to refuel planes coming from Burma. People in the financial services could monitor anything that has to do with the regime. If they see anything to do with Burma, then put up a red flag.”
Interview by David Browne (Parachute Pictures)
The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates.
For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018
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