World Fair Trade Day: choosing your partners more wisely

On May 14, we celebrate World Fair Trade Day. It is a good opportunity to remember how important it is to choose business partners that respect their employees' working conditions, wherever they are in the world.  

What is Fair Trade?

In a context of globalization and increased trade in goods, fair trade ensures that producers and artisans in developing countries are paid fairly for the goods they produce for developed countries.  

In France, fair trade is defined by the Law of July 2014. This law aims to uphold a set of commitments:  

• Fair pay for producers  
• Producer autonomy and democratic governance  
• Transparency and traceability of production  
• Raising awareness among end consumers  

• Promoting environmentally friendly production that respects biodiversity  

The origins of World Fair Trade Day

Celebrated every second Saturday in May (May 14 in 2022), World Fair Trade Day was established in 2014 by the WFTO, the World Fair Trade Organization.  

The day aims to raise awareness in developed countries about their consumption and its impact on producers in developing countries.  

Raising awareness of social issues

World Fair Trade Day raises awareness of fair pay for workers around the world and respect for their dignity.  
It also sheds light on inequalities, particularly those affecting women and minorities.  

Fair trade and fast fashion

When we talk about fair trade, we tend to think of food products: coffee, chocolate, exotic fruit... But unfortunately, the exploitation of people is not limited to food. Fast fashion companies, which produce very quickly and sell very cheaply, are the brands that fair trade is fighting against.  

These low-cost fashion brands can offer rock-bottom prices by exploiting their producers. As well as being disrespectful from a human and ethical standpoint, fast fashion has a disastrous environmental impact through overproduction, overconsumption and the use of materials derived from non-renewable resources.  

Identifying the right partners around the world

There are various labels for identifying products that come from fair trade. In France, the CNCE (Commission Nationale du Commerce Équitable, the French national fair trade commission) recognizes the organizations involved in fair trade and grants certifications.  

In France, 5 labels are recognized:  

• Fairtrade Max Havelaar
• World Fair Trade Organization  
• Ecocert Equitable
• Producteurs paysans
• Bio Partenaire  

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Choose partners that take part in fair trade.

As individuals and organizations, we have a role to play in social and environmental change. We are "consum'actors": every purchase sends a message and, little by little, helps change things.  

As a company, you have a role to play through the partners you work with. Working with partners that respect their employees is a way to influence things and change the situation. Indirectly, you help ensure that workers in developing countries are properly valued.  

How can you spot unfair trade?

To take part in sustainable, fair trade, you can work with companies recognized by Commerce Équitable France.  

Finally, you can also ask your partners for transparency and traceability regarding production and employees' working conditions in the different countries.  

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