How Fairtrade addresses workers’ rights:

• Strong standards at the core:

  Strong standards at the core:

  Fairtrade standards are based on the conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organization (ILO). We also include rules on health and safety while also establishing employment conditions for topics like wages, leave time, social security, and contracts in our Hired Labour Standard.

• Workers with a voice:

  Workers with a voice:

  Fairtrade requires employers to recognize the right of their employees to participate in a union to negotiate better wages and working conditions with their employers. We also organise training activities to teach workers their rights and how to engage with management.  

• Fair prices:

  Fair prices:

  Good infrastructure, working conditions, and paying fair wages starts with getting a fair price for your product. Fairtrade stipulates a minimum price for products which acts as a safety net for farmers and workers. The Fairtrade Minimum Price is the minimum that producer organizations are paid when selling their products through Fairtrade.  

• Fair wages:

  Fair wages:

  Fairtrade Standards state that employers must pay at least national minimum wage and move towards a living wage. A living wage is a human right and Fairtrade’s ambition is that every worker can earn a living wage and enjoy decent working conditions.

• Working with labour organisations:

  Working with labour organisations:

  Fairtrade partners with labour rights and other organizations to make broad changes that improve the lives of all workers, not just those employed by Fairtrade certified farms and plantations. Our initiatives are meant to bring others along and drive change beyond the individual company level.

• Community Development:

  Community Development:

  Part of the financial Fairtrade premium –has to be invested in community projects such as education and healthcare, uplifting the living standards of workers and their families.