WE MEET :
Made with Fairtrade Cotton
HEWAN TEMESGHEN
SECRETARY GENERAL OF FAIRTRADE SWEDEN
FAIRTRADE-PRODUCTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE - FOR REAL
The responsibility for sustainable production and consumption is mutual . Today it ’ s not that difficult for the individual consumer to make good and conscious choices . – By choosing Fairtrade-products you ’ ll contribute to improved working and living conditions for farmers and employees , says Hewan Temesghen , Secretary General of Fairtrade Sweden .
Fairtrade works for a more sustainable world trade , which is important from several aspects .
– We work to enable farmers and workers in countries with widespread poverty to lift themselves out of poverty . To achieve this , they need a more secure livelihood and better working conditions , says Hewan .
– In the same way as you already do . By using cotton that is both Fairtrade and GOTS certified , you ’ re using the most far-reaching sustainability labels on the market . In this way , Cottover contributes to reducing the risk of negative impacts on both human rights and the environment . This will also enable the consumer to make active , informed choices . By choosing Fairtrade-labelled products you contribute to sustainable development
Protecting people
The expression no one can do everything , but everyone can do something may be worn out , but its meaning is more relevant than ever . Both companies and consumers can - and must - start small , according to Hewan .
Income and human rights
Fairtrade ’ s goal is for all farmers to receive a living income , meaning an income that allows them to afford to eat nutritious food , pay for medical care and send their children to school .
– All people should be able to make a living from their work and have their human rights respected . Unfortunately , that is not the case today , Hewan continues .
It ’ s about humane conditions
Among the farmers who often work under inhumane conditions we find the cotton farmers . For many of them , Fairtrade is the only opportunity for a sustainable life . Fairtrade works to enable farmers and employees to get out of poverty and improve their working and living conditions . To encourage the younger generation to take over farming , they need to be ensured that there is a future within the industry . In this respect better working conditions and a higher income are necessary preconditions .
– We need to think about how the morning coffee , the fruit we serve as a snack , the chocolate we eat on Saturdays and the soft cotton in our clothes are produced . Are these products part of a world trade that contributes to a more secure family livelihood for farmers and workers around the world ? Both companies and consumers need to protect people , it isn ’ t more complicated than that .
It ’ s easy to do the right thing
Tg-h ’ s Cottover collection is mostly manufactured in a factory in Bangladesh and we take the opportunity to ask Hewan what we , as a company , need to consider .
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