3 ms·
On the surface I agree completely. Right down to the level of when I'm standing in the WalMart thinking about whether to buy that fair-trade coffee or not. In
by noonespecial 13y ago
On the surface I agree completely. Right down to the level of when I'm standing in the WalMart thinking about whether to buy that fair-trade coffee or not.
In practice, that solution doesn't work so well. Usually the goods wind up simply taking a longer boat ride through a country with looser standards before winding up in the US/EU.
The fundamental problem is Bangladeshi. It requires a Bangladeshi solution. High-minded westerners can help, some, but it might be smaller help than first seems possible.
- allochthon 13y agoI agree. Change has to be organic. You can't simply put in place some ideal thought up in the Bay area in Bangladesh overnight without there being major disruption and unintended consequences. Bangladeshis have to work through the situation, with outside parties providing assistance when it is requested.
- marquis 13y ago>whether to buy that fair-trade coffee This really does make a difference you know. You're looking at considering a couple of dollars overhead, yet it provides genuine support to the growers who made a commitment to pay their workers fairly.
- solistice 13y agohttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cif-green/2009/dec/12/fair-trade-fairtrade-kitkat-farmers http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cif-green/2009/dec/... The economic realities of Fairtrade seem different IF the Guardian can be trusted on this.