Why Tea Fair?
In 2009, tea workers in Sri Lanka (Ceylon, where the tea is made) to protest for higher wages. They tried to double their salaries - to $ 4.50 for a day's work. This is comparable to the price of a box of tea bags tea 20-50 cheaply in most supermarkets in America, and far less than the minimum wage per hour of work in the United States with the lowest cost of life in Sri Lanka after the BBC News, nearly a third of these workers lived inPoverty.
Fair trade is a principle to address this problem, not only in the production of tea is the face, but the imports of agricultural products in the manufacturing, clothing and other richer countries like the United States of America. The problem of poverty is associated with low wages, is not confined to Sri Lanka, but is an important issue for many countries that the tea is imported from. With the exception of Japan, more tea is produced in countries where exploitationworkers, environmental degradation, child labor, forced labor and other causes of serious violations of human rights concern.
What is fair?
Fair Trade is a complex and diverse social movement, and it is difficult to grasp and to define concise. This movement aims to ensure that workers are paid a fair wage for life, have good working conditions and labor organizations in the framework of democratic and transparent. The movement achieves these objectives through the issuance of certification of producers groupsMeeting certain standards. The standards include working conditions, the price to be paid, and the organization of society and are therefore to promote the values and goals of Fair Trade, to get elected: community development, environmental protection and economic justice.
Several organizations offer certification and that there are different labels associated with these organizations. The most popular by far and certification organization in the United States is the TransFair label. Some companies, such as equal exchange,TransFair are certified, but go well beyond the requirements for certification, additional efforts and higher standards to support small farmers and cooperatives democratically managed. Support small farmers and small cooperatives is a key issue in the production of tea, like most of the tea is now produced in large plantations, and large plantation structure is suitable for poor environmental practices and human rights organizations.
Other companies can not yethave achieved certification for all their products, but can still make some efforts to promote similar values and effects for products that are not certified. In addition, certificates, some companies also donate a portion of their profits to the cause of promoting human rights and environmental protection.
Sustainability and environmental issues:
Sustainability is an integral part of fair trade, whether in tea or the production of other goods. As part of theCertification is the inclusion of rules to protect the environment and nature, including the promotion of organic farming methods and prevention of GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Fairtrade certified tea is often organic and certified by TransFair certification standards already include procedures for organic certification and the certification of companies actively promoting organic farming methods.
Other teas are FairExpensive?
Fair Trade Teas are only slightly more expensive than their non-Fair Trade, and can sometimes comparable in price. Part of the reason prices down, to be held high, is the elimination of unnecessary middlemen. Business directly with producers is a more efficient distribution and helps the list of products and prices still too high shelves.
Where to buy Tea Fair:
Fair Trade Teas are increasingly common.Rishi Tea is certified at the forefront of fair trade tea company, with an overwhelming majority of loose tea, both fair trade and organic. Equal exchange, a world leader in sustainable trade and cooperatives, with stricter standards than those of TransFair, sells tea, although he is best known for its coffee. Numi Tea offers a substantial part of Fairtrade certified tea, both loose and in tea bags. Upton Tea Imports increased its range of Fairtrade certifiedRepublic of Tea tea has a small line of fair trade teas launched. The amount of the company, such as tea are only increased over time.
Buy Fairtrade tea is a responsible moral and ethical choice, as it promotes economic justice, human rights and environmental protection. You can help the movement and to promote these goals and values by buying for themselves!
Sources and further information:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8236546.stm
http://www.utne.com/2007-01-01/TheFutureofFairTradeTea.aspx
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