In this article we’ll know why Fair Trade is so important in the fashion industry and how it ensures the best work conditions and product quality among the Peruvian clothing manufacturers.
What is fairtrade?
Simply put, when you're shopping and you see the Fair Trade Certified™ seal, it means the product has been certified to comply with Fair Trade principles, which require producers and manufacturers to promote sustainable livelihoods and safe working conditions for farmers and workers. Is your guarantee that a product was traded in a more ethical way.
When did the Fair Trade movement begin?
In the 1950's when Europeans and Americans traveling to different countries observed that local artisans and farmers were struggling to cover the cost of their businesses. Most of these travelers would purchase some of those products and return to Europe or the US to sell them for a higher price, then bring the profits directly back to the artisans and farmers.
But clearly that process could be open to exploitation. That’s why in the 1990's, when Fair Trade USA founder Paul Rice was working with coffee farmers in Nicaragua, he wanted to get involved in creating standards that could govern the way that Fair Trade was monitored across the globe. This work served as the foundation for what we now know as Fair Trade Certification.
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Benefits of Fair Trade
Sustainable livelihoods: Fair Trade farmers and workers earn transparent and stable prices for their crops and products.
Safe working conditions: Fair Trade standards ensure that farmers and workers around the world benefit from safe working conditions, regulated work hours, freedom of association and maternity leave. There's zero tolerance for sexual discrimination and slave and child labor.
Environmental sustainability: Fair Trade has strict environmental standards, and ensures that factories have a robust environmental management plan to monitor and reduce their impacts in areas related to chemical use, waste disposal, energy use and water use.
Fair price: enterprises must pay a higher price than the standard market rate to the workers which covers the production cost and it concerns products deriving from developing countries.
Respect of local culture: traditional practices are encouraged along with the teaching of new ones so that the countries can keep up their pace with the market’s demands.
Values-based shopping: Fair Trade makes it easy for conscientious consumers to shop their values.
You can also read: Alpaca vs Cashmere: Which one is better?
What is Fair Trade clothing?
In today’s world, where fast fashion is king, many people who work in the clothing industry are sadly exploited and underpaid. Fair trade in fashion was born to prevent this from happening.
The fair trade movement in the fashion industry provides a set of guidelines for clothing manufacturing to ensure that manufacturers and factory workers work in ethical conditions and are treated and paid fairly.
Fair trade clothing is clothing that was produced in accordance with strict rules and ethical standards, with the best interest of the workers involved in mind. Which means that you can have peace of mind that your favorite threads were created by someone fairly recompensed for their work.
Fair trade fashion brands have to earn certification by a fair trade organization and must follow strict guidelines to do so. By purchasing a piece of clothing from a fair trade fashion brand, you can be sure the environment has been protected in the process.
Knit-Lab Peru is a regulated company with Certification for Good Fair Trade Practices.
We specialize in handcrafted and custom knitwear. Using the finest sustainable materials, we deliver high quality products worldwide. Contact us today to start creating premium knitted garments for your brand!
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