I read an article in the Observer about the instrument of fair trade and its limitations to benefit those who it’s supposed to help. The article cites research which showed that Fair Trade’s focus on the producers rather than the workers meaning that in many Fair Trade certified companies workers are paid a lower wage than those working in uncertified companies. Not only this, but many people also do not benefit from the "community" projects supported with funds generated by the "social premium" consumers pay for Fairtrade products.
Of course this is only one article and no doubt the Fair Trade organisation have many and sound rebuttal arguments, and I certainly don’t advocate a “don’t buy fair trade” approach, however it did serve to bring into focus some of the principles I have followed in setting up Matik.
First and foremost, this project is about nothing if it is not about the workers. Both my partner suppliers in Ghana and in India are set up for the benefit of their workers. This is their reason for being and the trade only serves them so far as they achieve their goal of a better now and better future for the workers and their families.
What is more, I know this, because I can and have visited them, to see how they work. In fact, of course I chose them because of what they do.
So Matik means personal connection, no middle organisation, and 100% focus on the rights of workers. Could I get that with the Fair Trade endorsement? Could my customers be assured of it if they saw the label? I’m not sure that they could. And if they could not should I really be requesting my partners the time, effort, and expense necessary in acquiring a fair trade certificate? Time, effort and expense that would otherwise be spent on the projects themselves.
So these were my thought processes and this article brought them into relief. By working with few partners, we have the opportunity to know them well, spend time with them, talk to the women who make the products, find out more about their lives and what we can do to help them. Our commitment to them is also our commitment to our customers. What we find out, we will report to you. And by doing it this way I hope we will reduce a little bit the distance between who makes the product and who buys it.
