tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5989173599202372938.post7795811742827531552..comments2016-04-05T03:05:52.848+01:00Comments on Jam and Tea: How fair is Fairtrade? - A ResponseJam and Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681536290683915366noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5989173599202372938.post-71958244980209835782011-03-21T12:00:24.603+00:002011-03-21T12:00:24.603+00:00Surely Fairtrade should be a philosophy and not ju...Surely Fairtrade should be a philosophy and not just a label. Either a company believes in being fair or doesn't. Wouldn't it be great to see a brand that genuinely wants the best for everyone involved and doesn't just use the fairtrade label to tap into the socially conscious consumer market. I've found it really difficult trying to get young people interested in fairtrade when prices are prohibitive. Until that changes, it will remain a concern of those who can afford it and until working for a company that sells fairtrade products means working for a company with a holistic fair philosophy it makes it difficult to shout about it.<br /><br />The fact that fairtrade exists though is great isn't it! And that it's really getting recognised by big brands.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16781112024458228741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5989173599202372938.post-25099188145574664742011-03-01T11:17:46.649+00:002011-03-01T11:17:46.649+00:00What I, and I believe the Guardian journalist are ...What I, and I believe the Guardian journalist are trying to say, is that the term "fair" is relative to the economies and labour markets of the the particular country in question. A "fair" wage is completely relative to the price of food, the price of housing, the price of fuel, education, transport, etc. A "fair" wage should allow someone to be able to live and meet their basic needs. This figure is clearly going to be different in different countries.<br /><br />Also, the article and my response were hopefully provoking people to consider a more holistic way of viewing fair trade. It is easy for a company like Nestle to use the Fairtrade branding on their KitKat bars even though their poor human rights record has been well documented. And it is easy for a company to shout about the good they are doing in the developing world, even though their business model is perpetuating un-fair trade in this country. I just want people to consider the whole of the ethical journey, from production to sale, and then make a decision as to whether it sits well with their conscience.Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11851534040151635164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5989173599202372938.post-91340683722764995142011-03-01T10:34:12.848+00:002011-03-01T10:34:12.848+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11851534040151635164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5989173599202372938.post-43847971234231426122011-02-28T21:40:10.081+00:002011-02-28T21:40:10.081+00:00But don't you think there's a difference b...But don't you think there's a difference between someone earning $2/day and someone earning £5.70/hour? Don't get me wrong, I find it appaling that Starbucks pay so little to their workers. But I still think the farmer getting a fair price and a school for the village is more important. Costa is far less ethical than Starbucks on that basis, surely? Even the poorest here have access to very basic education. The poor in coffe producing countries often can't afford for their children to learn to read. I mean, it is a different league and I wonder whether the Guardian writer actually thought before he wrote!Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14706909909024671970noreply@blogger.com