I would be keen to know people's views on fairtrade - is it important, does it make a difference or is it just a waste of time? Also I am trying to encourage Planet Coffee on Newland Avenue to sell fairtrade coffee and tea and therefore if you don't think fairtrade is just a waste of time and would like to sign my petition then the link to the online petition is http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fairtrade-at-planet-coffee-hull

Post edited by: supanaomi, at: 2008/05/27 20:07

I am not sure I have a full understanding of fairtrade so my comment may not be applicable. But as I understand it when it is cheaper to buy imports than it is to buy local produce we are expected to buy local. Take pork as an example, who can tell the difference between a bacon sandwich from imported bacon and one from a local pig? So you buy the cheapest. Maybe we can get an explanation on fairtrade from someone that knows.

fairtrade is about paying a fair wage to the growers or makers of a product, for many items we buy those who actually grow or make the product are being paid almost nothing for their work whilst others further down the line are raking in the profit. With fairtrade products (those with a fairtrade mark) everyone involoved is paid a fair wage. That could be products from abroad or from the UK. It does mean that usually we pay more for the product but that's so people can be paid fairly and afford to live!!!

What's to say that if we do pay more the extra money will go to the workers - nothing. I think it will just go to make the rich richer. It is those who are working for next to nothing that need to take issue with this.

Not if it has a fairtrade mark, it's all regulated.

If we pay more and it can be regulated, why can't it be regulated now.
I don't see how paying more for goods in a supermarket can force employers, in the far east for example, to pay their workers more money.

It's not regulated because we pay more, it's regulated because it's fairtrade, and to be fairtrade it has to be more expensive so EVERYONE involved in it's production and distribution gets a fair wage

So in fact it is the consumer that will be funding the higher wages.
And I would like to know just who is going to regulate this wonderful scheme.

Post edited by: dave, at: 2008/06/09 19:39

Someone already does regulate it. Check out this website for a bit more information about it if you are interested. It explains how products get the fairtrade mark and what that means. http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/what_is_fairtrade/fairtrade_certification_and_the_fairtrade_mark/ the_fairtrade_mark.aspx

And of course it's the consumer that funds the higher wages - by paying a fair price for the products we buy.

If it is already regulated, why don't the workers get a fair wage

They do if they are workers who produce a product with a fairtrade mark. They are fairtrade products, the ones that we should be buying instead of ones without the mark. However a lot of products aren't fairtrade and so have no obligation to pay their workers a fair wage, which is the reason we should chose fairtrade over non-fairtrade, to support those who do pay their workers fairly and to try to encourage other companies to do the same!

supanaomi wrote:

And of course it's the consumer that funds the higher wages - by paying a fair price for the products we buy.

And therein lies the crux of the matter.

If I see 2 items side by side, one costs £3, the other £2, I don't think of the poor worker, I think Oooo! I can save a pound.

Philanthropy is ok for rich people but I am afraid I have to watch the pennies,( I think philanthropy is the right word )