Bishop 1

Laely Bishop

Prof. Henry-Jones

Eng. 1101

3 December 2020

Should Fair-Trade Certification Be Mandatory?

Imagine working in a sweatshop or farm, for well below a living or minimum wage, just

trying to make a living to support yourself and your family. You may think this is an issue that

has been resolved, or is few and far between, but this is still a large global issue that can be

solved. Fair Trade is a certification that ensures that your product was made sustainably-

environmentally and economically. There are many reasons to shop Fair Trade, and eventually

impose legislation because no one deserves to earn so little for doing so much.

The first reason to purchase Fair Trade certified products, is because it gives their

workers a living wage, and gives back to the community. Most companies without Fair Trade

certification give their workers very little pay, have terrible working conditions, and little to no

benefits. “The Fair-Trade movement began as early as the 1950's when Europeans and

Americans traveling to different countries observed that local artisans and farmers were

struggling to cover the cost of their businesses.” (Shoenthal) In the past, artists and farmers were

the main concern of Fair Trade, but now we have many people working for the fashion industry

in sweatshops and factories earning little to nothing. Although sweatshops are not as prevalent in

the United States as they are in China or developing countries, this does not mean that it

shouldn’t be a concern. So many products that we all use in our day to day lives, were made in

China or developing countries, most likely in a sweatshop. “roughly 10 percent of the world’s
 Bishop 2

population or 734 million people live on less than $1.90 per day.” (Fair Trade) By having this

many people work for this little pay, it is ensuing a limitless cycle of poverty, and a global

impact is necessary to eliminate this issue. Although so much has been done already, we still

have so much to do. Unfortunately, since other countries have much less labor regulation, we

must start the change here. According to Miller, even if we first come to it through thinking

about solutions to global poverty, we should recognize that fair trade is an independent principle

of international justice, one that should also govern relations between countries standing well

above the poverty threshold. (254) Miller explains that everyone should be held to the standards

of Fair Trade.

The second reason to shop Fair Trade is because of its environmental impact.

Although Fair Trade is mainly known for being fair among its workers, it also does good by the

environment. The first environmental impact Fair Trade has made, is making clean water

available to its workers. Although clean water seems like something everyone has, it

unfortunately is not, and the lack of clean water and sanitation leads to the death of millions

around the world every year. According to Fairtrade, Fair trade standards require that workers

have access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities at least in the workplace. Another

goal of Fair Trade is to provide conservation for forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands. Fair

Trade plans to do this by restoring our environment and “promote the implementation of

sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and

substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally” (Fair Trade) In conclusion, it is

safe to say that Fair Trade has made many efforts to make earth a safer and healthier home for

all.
 Bishop 3

Although, many are for Fair Trade, others are still opposed to it. The first argument

against Fair Trade, is that it is too expensive. “However, the producers continue to face

challenges, including increasing costs of production, stagnant premium, price floors, and

declining yield. Institutional reforms within the supply chain and greater support from the

government are necessary” ( Estevez, Bhat, Bray) This quote from Commodity chains,

institutions, and domestic policies of organic and fair trade coffee in Bolivia explains how and

why Fair Trade products are more expensive compared to non-Fair Trade. Fair Trade will more

frequently be the more expensive option as long as we have non-Fair Trade as an option. By

eliminating non-Fair Trade factories/sweatshops and raising minimum wages, everyone should

be able to purchase Fair Trade. Another con of Fair Trade is that it decreases the choice for

consumers. “The current (Fair Trade) market is dominated by tea, coffee, and chocolate. Outside

of this range, it’s much more difficult to find fair trade products that are widely available.” (Sell

Merch) With all cons in mind, note that Fair Trade is a global effort, not something that should

be preferred among a small group of people, so in order for Fair Trade to work as efficiently as

possible, everyone that can participate, should.

In conclusion, Fair Trade is something we should invest in nationally as well as

internationally and impose legislation to better the lives of others who earn below the minimum

wage. Although critics of Fair Trade are opposed to increased cost and limited choice, it is the

better choice socially and economically. Fair Trade is the better choice compared to Non-Fair

Trade because, it ensures a better life for its producers and consumers, along with the many

environmental efforts they make. All in all, it is time to start purchasing Fair Trade and invest in

our workers, not large corporations taking advantage of its workers.

Laely Bishop

Prof. Henry-Jones

Eng. 1101

3 December 2020

Works Cited

Estevez, Christopher Lucas, et al. “Commodity Chains, Institutions, and Domestic Policies of

Organic and Fair Trade Coffee in Bolivia.” Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems,

vol. 42, no. 3, Mar. 2018, pp. 299–327. Academic Search Complete,

doi:10.1080/21683565.2017.1359737.

Fair Trade Certified, www.fairtradecertified.org/.

“How Does Fair Trade Work? The Pros and Cons of Fair Trade.” Sell Merch, Dec. 2019,

sellmerch.org/how-does-fair-trade-work-the-pros-and-cons-of-fair-trade/.

Miller, David. “Fair Trade: What Does It Mean and Why Does It Matter?” Journal of Moral

Philosophy, vol. 14, no. 3, May 2017, pp. 249–269. Academic Search Complete,

doi:10.1163/17455243-46810053.
 Bishop 5

Shoenthal, Amy. “What Exactly Is Fair Trade, And Why Should We Care?” Forbes, Forbes

Magazine, 14 Dec. 2018, www.forbes.com/sites/amyschoenberger/2018/12/14/what-

exactly-is-fair-trade-and-why-should-we-care/?sh=6acb0bbb7894.