Asha Handicrafts


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■ Fair Trade

■ What is Fair Trade

■ Principles of Fair Trade

■ IFAT

■ Fair Trade Forum

Established in 1989, IFAT is the International Fair Trade Association, the global network of Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs).
IFAT is a federation of producers and "alternative" trading organizations (ATOs). IFAT has a network of over 270 FTO’s in 60 countries with membership is growing steadily.
It has five elected Executive Committee members from Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Pacific Rim and a Secretariat based in the Netherlands. Approximately 65% of members are based in the South (that is: Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America) with the rest coming from North America & the Pacific Rim and Europe.

IFAT'S OBJECTIVES ARE TWOFOLD:

TO IMPROVE THE LIVELIHOOD AND WELL-BEING OF DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES; AND
TO CHANGE UNFAIR STRUCTURES OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

The principles to which IFAT members are committed to, are laid out in the Code of Practice agreed to in 1995 by all members, North and South:

In summary the Code of Practice consists of :

Commitment to Fair Trad : fair commercial terms, fair wages and fair prices
Concern for people and for the environment
Protection of children
Ensuring safe and healthy working conditions
Providing equal employment opportunities
Progressive work practices
Involving producers in decision making processes
Respect for producers' cultural identity
Transparency and information sharing
Promotion of Fair Trade through education and advocacy

Alternative traders who are members of the Fair Trade Federation pledge to :

Pay a fair wage in the local context;
Provide equal opportunities for all people;
Engage in environmentally sustainable practices;
Build long-term trade relationships;
Provide healthy and safe working conditions;
Provide financial and technical assistance to workers whenever possible.