Why buy fair trade Many people work making the clothing and shoes we buy at stores Fair trade organizations such as the Fairtrade Foundation help ensure that everyone involved in making clothing from the farmer who grows the plants that fabrics are made from to the garment worker who sews the clothing is treated fairly What is fair trade Fair trade organizations encourage clothing companies to produce clothes that are kind to the environment and to the people who make them Most of the clothes we buy are produced in developing countries such as India and China Often the people who work in fields and factories where the materials for our clothes are sourced and put together are paid very little and have poor working conditions Fair trade organizations try to ensure workers are paid a fair price for the work they do and that their working conditions are not dangerous 4
Labeling fashion Fair trade schemes Not many clothing items come with a fair trade label yet But clothing with the labels FAIRTRADE World Fair Trade Organization or Fair Wear Foundation mean that the items were produced according to fair trade standards This book describes some of the problems faced by people in the developing world who make or provide the raw materials for many of our clothes It explains some fair trade solutions and will help you to understand why fair trade is so important and how you can help by being careful about where you shop and what you buy Look for fair trade marks and labels such as this FAIRTRADE Mark on clothing and footwear when you go shopping Asia India Bangladesh Africa South America Liberia Sri Lanka Thailand Indonesia Peru This map shows the countries mentioned in this book that are involved in fair trade clothing projects 5
