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