Today I googled "Fair Trade" and it usually lists current items in the news on your selected topic. It led me to an article from the New York Times on a new clothing store called Fair Indigo. It is based out of Wisconsin and advertises its clothing as Fair Trade. Unlike American Apparel, this company employs workers from other countries such as Peru and China to make their clothing. The owner of the company sets high standards on who he employs to make the clothes for his company. The clothing manufacturers must pay their employees above the minimum wage, as even people in Canada don't live that well off of minimum wage. This company is not certified by TransFair either, but they did say that they are working with TransFair USA to develop a certification for Clothing.
The trouble with clothing is that there is a longer supply chain before you get to the acutual clothing product. Fair Indigo doesn't use Fair trade cotton or silk or leather to manufacture their products. They believe that the most impact that they can make to help those in poverty is to pay the clothing manufacturers a fair wage. This is a good part of the reason why TransFair has not certified clothing as Fair Trade. It is a big job to define the criteria for Fair Trade clothing. Products like bannanas, rice or coffee are much easier to certify since they are primary resources. These products don't need to go through any modifications before they are sold.
Personally, I think I would rather buy clothing from Fair Indigo than American Apparel because I believe that it is important to help those in developing countries. On the other hand, you could argue that buying from American Apparel is a more sustainable practice as you are not importing clothing over such long distances and it is better for the environment? Which side of the argument would you take?
Another question is, should TransFair certify clothing? If yes, what are the standards that should be implemented to certify clothing? Should it just be paying workers fairly, or should the company be asked to use fair trade cotton as well?
Yep, it's a lot to think about!
New York Times Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/technology/25ecom.html?ref=business
Fair Indigo: http://www.fairindigo.com/index.php
3 comments:
This is very interesting to me.
I have been thinking of new ways to live out my faith. One way that I can do that is by supporting companies that treat people well and pay them a living wage. Recently, I have been considering buying all my clothes fair trade, but first I wanted to go online to see if it was even possible. I realized that it is a complex issue. As you said, even if they pay their employees well, maybe the people who picked the cotton to make the clothes were not treated well. Wow, this is more complicated than I imagined. I hope that whatever I decide to do that it honors the Lord and helps those who are in need. Thanks for your words of wisdom. I appreciate the fact that you are willing to really research this issue in-depth.
Best of luck to you!
~ Christina
I found your comments very informative. I am working for a new non-profit organization called Nomi Network, and among other initiatives, we are trying to promote Fair Trade goods in the U.S. I am trying to identify stores in the U.S. that sell Fair Trade Certified clothing. One of the goals of the organization is to try to establish Fair Trade cooperatives in Cambodia, to make fashion items, and which will employ rescued survivors of sex slavery.
www.nominetwork.org
Pax Vobiscum,
stephen.m.bauer [at] gmail.com
Howdy,
I mostly visits this website[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url]averylauren.blogspot.com is filled with quality info. I am sure due to busy scedules we really do not get time to care about our health. Are you really serious about your weight?. Recent Research presents that about 80% of all USA grownups are either fat or weighty[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url] Hence if you're one of these citizens, you're not alone. Its true that we all can't be like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, and have sexy and perfect six pack abs. Now next question is how you can achive quick weight loss? [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss[/url] is not like piece of cake. You need to improve some of you daily habbits to achive weight loss in short span of time.
About me: I am author of [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss tips[/url]. I am also health trainer who can help you lose weight quickly. If you do not want to go under hard training program than you may also try [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/acai-berry-for-quick-weight-loss]Acai Berry[/url] or [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/colon-cleanse-for-weight-loss]Colon Cleansing[/url] for fast weight loss.
Post a Comment