Over 30 years have passed since the inception of Fairtrade in the UK, yet smallholders on an international scale continue to confront threats to their livelihoods. Despite this ongoing challenge, proponents of Fairtrade are optimistic about the enduring impact of the certification.
When Ruchi Chawla entered the fashion and textiles industry in the early 2000s, popular wardrobe essentials included Ugg boots, miniskirts, and bandanas. Concurrently, the Fairtrade Foundation was established in 1992, leading to the introduction of officially certified products in the UK by 1994. Green and Black’s chocolate bars were among the first items to proudly display the Fairtrade label, eventually paving the way for other products like Fairtrade cotton in 2005.
As Chawla transitioned from procuring products for major brands, she became disillusioned by the prevalence of chemicals in clothing and the lack of fair treatment towards workers. The absence of fair, living wages highlighted the challenges faced by workers. This realization fueled her commitment to ensuring Fairtrade certification for her own organic brand, Cottsbury, emphasizing the importance of regular hours, fair wages, and respect for workers, especially women.
Patricia Alexander, the managing director of social lender Shared Interest, reflects on the transformative impact of the ethical trade movement that emerged in the early 1990s. This period marked a significant shift towards ethical consumption, with the recognizable green, blue, and black Fairtrade logo reshaping consumer behavior. Beyond offering better prices, Fairtrade focuses on community empowerment by requiring producers to establish cooperatives, enabling collaborative decision-making for a sustainable future
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