Fair Trade in Sri Lanka
Dec 23, 2015
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 1950s 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. StoPoverty
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
Tools given by Siyath Foundation
Acceptable Housing
Conditions
Help for the community
Promoting Education
AREAS OF FOCUS RELIF / REHABILITTION
ACTIVITY FRAMEWORK
Empowerment through
Rehabilitation
Care and security
Livelihood strategies
Psychosocial support and Social Recognition
Information
Capacity Development
Bringing up of children
Material and infrastructure support
Supportive social structures
Credit
Career guidance and support for children
Construction of housesHouse hold equipment and utilitiesSanitary and drinking water facilitiesTraining on advocacy and lobbing
Material support for schooling Health Issues and NutritionCaring for children while at workExtra activities and facilities for childrenExtra support for school workCareer guidanceJob placement
Partnerships and active member ships of community groups Leadership opportunity
Skills/ Entrepreneurial trainingMachinery and equipment for income generationSkills/ Entrepreneurial trainingRaw Material Information and CommunicationBuilding up of Revolving funds
Micro CreditMarketingBusiness counselingIT based monitoring of enterprisesTrade NetworkingPromotion of Fair Trading
Continuous monitoring
Celebration of Woman’s Day 8th March 2005
Under the 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 dear 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 opportunitie
s 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
Machines