Fair Trade in Sri Lanka Overview of Fair

Fair Trade in Sri Lanka

• Overview of Fair trade • Economic Situation in Sri Lanka • Comparing Fair Trade and Non. Fair Trade Conditions in Sri Lanka • The Way Forward: Ethical and Social Trade

History of Fair Trade 1946: “Self Help Crafts” began buying needlework from Puerto Rico. Simultaneously SERRV International began to trade with poor communities in the South. 1950: In Europe Fair Trade dates back to the 1950 s when Oxfam UK started selling crafts made by Chinese refugees in Oxfam shops. 1958: The first formal "Fair Trade" shop which sold these and other items opened in 1958 in the USA. Parallel activities were taking place in the Netherlands. 1996: Fair Trade in Malta

What does Fair Trade offer? • • Gives payment of a fair price Involves producer groups in decision making Protects the rights of children and women Ensures the health and safety of workers Preserves and promotes traditional arts and crafts Promotes Education Creates opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers • Involves transparency and accountability • Encourages better environmental practices

Work by Fair Trade Organizations 1. Selling of fair traded good: A. Organising Producers and B. Marketing their products. 2. Awareness Raising: Educate people about injustice in trade and the effects of such injustice, e. g. Taste the World 3. Lobby Work: Lobby international fora, communicating the message “trade not aid”, e. g. Sto. Poverty 4. Standards in trade: Assure that the conditions of workers are up to the correct standards.

Non-Fair Trade Coco-Fibre Twining

Health Hazardous Working Environment

Dangerous Work

No gender Equality

Non-existent involvement in Decision Making

No work guaranteed after 4 weeks Unfair payment for their hard work

Poor Housing Conditions for the Factory Workers

Unfair distribution of income

Fair Trade Coco-Fibre Twinning by Siyath Foundation

Women are given entrepreneurship opportunities

Healthy and safe working environment

No Dangerous Tools given by Siyath Foundation

Acceptable Housing Conditions

Help for the community Promoting Education

Celebration of Woman’s Day 8 th March 2005 Under theme of ‘We rise together’ … Siyath foundation organized a march and a rally attended by around 2000 women.

Third Month Commemoration of Death Traditional religious customs: the chanting of Buddhist Suttas (hymns) was undertaken throughout the night followed by the morning meal offered to priests. Buddhists believe that by such action we many transfer merit to our dead ones so that they mill be spared of such gruesome deaths through out their ‘Sansaric’ life.

Fair Trade in Trade Craft by Gospel House Encourages good environmental practices using albizia wood

Safe Working Environment Creates opportunities to unemployed youths

Provides support consultancies and commercial contacts to partner producers.

Promoting Tradition Arts and Crafts Development of products’ designs

Creates opportunities for different ethnic and religious groups to work together Encourages female leadership

Tsunami Relief Support Distribution of goods as from December 2004

Children given school uniforms Donation of 20 Coco Twine Spinning Machines Provided stock of undergarments for 120 women and young girls

Foundation of CRUF in February 2005 Construction of Fishing Canoes Provided seed money for Cement Brick making