5 ms·

"... we shouldn't support factories that beat the workers or subject them to environments that rapidly cause sickness and death either." I agree, but how do we

"... we shouldn't support factories that beat the workers or subject them to environments that rapidly cause sickness and death either." I agree, but how do we tell the difference between one tshirt or the other, and its associated work conditions?

pbhjpbhj 16y ago
>agree, but how do we tell the difference between one tshirt or the other, and its associated work conditions? The international fairtrade mark is a good way of telling the difference ... http://fairtrade.net/about_fairtrade.0.html http://fairtrade.net/about_fairtrade.0.html
- CWuestefeld 16y ago
  The point of the OP was that fairtrade's standards don't make sense. So why look for their mark?
  - pbhjpbhj 16y ago
    Certified fairtrade standards do indicate that which the parent was asking to be shown, that factories have safe and ethical working practices. If you buy fairtrade certified goods then you know (as much as one can, even if you were to inspect the factory yourself) that they don't "beat the workers or subject them to environments that rapidly cause sickness and death either". See some of the assessed standards (certification is by physically present assessors who visit at least once per year except in historically exemplary establishments where visits may be reduced) - http://fairtrade.net/653.0.html http://fairtrade.net/653.0.html, in particular http://fairtrade.net/fileadmin/user_upload/content/2009/standards/documents/04-10_EN_Generic_Fairtrade_Standard_HL_Aug_2009_EN_amended_version_04-10.pdf http://fairtrade.net/fileadmin/user_upload/content/2009/stan... are the generic H&S standards, see for example Section 1.6. Here's another reason to look for the mark, http://fairtrade.net/single_view1.0.html?&cHash=18ecb39c42&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=187 http://fairtrade.net/single_view1.0.html?&cHash=18ecb39c... "ILO and Kuapa Kokoo partner to combat child labour in cocoa" ; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6575713.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6575713.stm "Labouring for chocolate" BBC report on "child slavery" in cocoa plantations. Of course if you think kids are better off slaving away to keep more of the money you spend on chocolate further up the supply chain, rather than being in school, then don't look for the Fairtrade mark.
marquis 16y ago
Either research the background of your products or purchase directly from known fair-trade/fair-conditions producers. Some good tips here: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-know-if-i-am-buying-sweatshop-free-clothing.htm http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-know-if-i-am-buying-sweatsh... I do agree with the premise that what we consider a 'sweatshop' may actually just be low wages in comparison to OECD wages. What is critical as a consumer is to do what you can to support genuine means of production where slavery/worker abuse is not tolerated. For example start with chocolate: I'll only purchase fair-trade chocolate due to the known conditions where Nestle/other cocoa purchasers support child slavery in West Africa. There are plenty of options for chocolate purchase in grocery stores and boutiques. I'm not much of a mainstream consumer anyway (haven't been to McDonalds since I was a student for example) though I'm sure I support undeserving conditions with my spending - as such I'd love to see a mobile app that gives me an overview of what I'm buying. And yes, a quick google shows this Free2Work app: http://itunes.apple.com/app/id406044086?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/app/id406044086?mt=8 which I'll be checking out though it only seems to cover major brands.
mtrn 16y ago
No, the shirt alone won't tell you anything. But if really want to know, you can and will know.

pbhjpbhj 16y ago

>agree, but how do we tell the difference between one tshirt or the other, and its associated work conditions? The international fairtrade mark is a good way of telling the difference ... http://fairtrade.net/about_fairtrade.0.html http://fairtrade.net/about_fairtrade.0.html

CWuestefeld 16y ago
The point of the OP was that fairtrade's standards don't make sense. So why look for their mark?
- pbhjpbhj 16y ago
  Certified fairtrade standards do indicate that which the parent was asking to be shown, that factories have safe and ethical working practices. If you buy fairtrade certified goods then you know (as much as one can, even if you were to inspect the factory yourself) that they don't "beat the workers or subject them to environments that rapidly cause sickness and death either". See some of the assessed standards (certification is by physically present assessors who visit at least once per year except in historically exemplary establishments where visits may be reduced) - http://fairtrade.net/653.0.html http://fairtrade.net/653.0.html, in particular http://fairtrade.net/fileadmin/user_upload/content/2009/standards/documents/04-10_EN_Generic_Fairtrade_Standard_HL_Aug_2009_EN_amended_version_04-10.pdf http://fairtrade.net/fileadmin/user_upload/content/2009/stan... are the generic H&S standards, see for example Section 1.6. Here's another reason to look for the mark, http://fairtrade.net/single_view1.0.html?&cHash=18ecb39c42&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=187 http://fairtrade.net/single_view1.0.html?&cHash=18ecb39c... "ILO and Kuapa Kokoo partner to combat child labour in cocoa" ; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6575713.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6575713.stm "Labouring for chocolate" BBC report on "child slavery" in cocoa plantations. Of course if you think kids are better off slaving away to keep more of the money you spend on chocolate further up the supply chain, rather than being in school, then don't look for the Fairtrade mark.

marquis 16y ago

Either research the background of your products or purchase directly from known fair-trade/fair-conditions producers. Some good tips here: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-know-if-i-am-buying-sweatshop-free-clothing.htm http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-know-if-i-am-buying-sweatsh... I do agree with the premise that what we consider a 'sweatshop' may actually just be low wages in comparison to OECD wages. What is critical as a consumer is to do what you can to support genuine means of production where slavery/worker abuse is not tolerated. For example start with chocolate: I'll only purchase fair-trade chocolate due to the known conditions where Nestle/other cocoa purchasers support child slavery in West Africa. There are plenty of options for chocolate purchase in grocery stores and boutiques. I'm not much of a mainstream consumer anyway (haven't been to McDonalds since I was a student for example) though I'm sure I support undeserving conditions with my spending - as such I'd love to see a mobile app that gives me an overview of what I'm buying. And yes, a quick google shows this Free2Work app: http://itunes.apple.com/app/id406044086?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/app/id406044086?mt=8 which I'll be checking out though it only seems to cover major brands.

mtrn 16y ago

No, the shirt alone won't tell you anything. But if really want to know, you can and will know.