How We Uphold the 10 Principles of Fair Trade

Hi, friends! Thanks so much for stopping by to learn more about Kantha Bae. It truly means the world to us! We wanted to take the time today to share with you how we uphold the Principles of Fair Trade.

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is a wonderful group committed to ensuring that proclaimed and sustainable companies are true to their word. Kantha Bae is not yet certified as a Fair Trade Organization, as it is a long process to be approved, but we’re still very committed to upholding the 10 Principles of Fair Trade. Here’s how we ensure that these principles are achieved and maintained.

 

Principle One: Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers

Poverty rates are high in many countries, including two that Kantha Bae’s partners and suppliers are located in. According to the World Population Review, India’s poverty rate is 21.9 percent, while Bangladesh’s is 24.3.

Kantha Bae’s very first supplier was Basha, a company that provides dignified work to women in Bangladesh. KB has also partnered with an amazing team and many families in Northern India. We’re incredibly honored to work with such creative, gifted, and beautiful souls. It isn’t something we take for granted.

 

Principle Two: Transparency and Accountability

The WFTO believes that a Fair Trade Organization must maintain open lines of communication with all its employees, and we completely agree! The relationships we have with our partners runs very deep. We are personally involved in the daily lives of our suppliers, which ensures that a high level of communication is always present. In addition to keeping communication healthy, we also ensure to go above and beyond to meet any additional needs these partners might have. 

We believe it’s important to be completely transparent with not only our partners, but with our beautiful community as well! Your support does not go unnoticed, and our honesty is the least you deserve. We are proud of Kantha Bae’s story and hold that story with integrity and transparency.

 

 

Principle Three: Fair Trade Practices

This blog explains the principles we uphold as a fair trade minded shop, but the term “fair trade” might not have an obvious meaning to all of our readers. According to the WTFO, it means an organization has “concern for the social, economic, and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers, and [a commitment to] not maximize profit at their expense.” Kantha Bae is dedicated to maintaining this concern and commitment, as explained under the other nine principles. People are always first here... from our partners all over the world, to our stateside staff, and our community. 

 

 

Principle Four: Fair Payment

NPR recently reported on a young woman from Bangladesh who worked twelve hours a day at a garment factory before becoming unemployed because of the pandemic. She earned only $95 per month, which was just enough to support her parents, sister, and disabled brother. Unfortunately, garment workers across the globe are in similar situations. Most don’t make enough money to support themselves, despite the countless amount of hours they work per week.

This heartbreaking statistic is being challenged by Fair Trade Organizations across the globe. Here at Kantha Bae, we ensure that all our brand partners, both domestic and international, are paid fair and liveable wages. Everything we do here, from the pricing of our garments and beyond are all centered first and foremost around that fair wages are paid. 

 

 

Principle Five: Ensuring No Child Labor or Forced Labor

Kantha Bae does not employ or partner with any children, nor any person who does not want to work. We respect and care for the freedom and safety of our parnters. It’s as simple as that.

 

Principle Six: Commitment to Non Discrimination, Gender Equity, and Freedom of Association

According to the Washington Post, “India’s modern women say it’s a ‘burden’ to be female.” Gender stereotypes are taught to and internalized by girls in this country at a young age. These girls are trained to live with the fear of what might happen if they speak up or think for themselves. They learn that it is their job to keep the peace, to be mothers, to sacrifice, and to give. They don’t learn about the power of stepping into their potential. They aren’t given the okay to be true to themselves.

It’s a similar story for women in Bangladesh. According to NYU, “women in Bangladesh are dominated by a [patriarchal] system, which enforces the social and economic dependence of women on men.”

Luckily, there are forces pushing against these systems. Kantha Bae provides women with not only jobs, but with the strength and confidence they need to overcome these harmful stereotypes. Our partners at Basha even provide accessible daycare service within their workspaces, and in India mom's who need to are able to work from the comfort of their homes, so not only are they given equal opportunities, but they are given that without the worry of how their children will be cared for when they are working. 

 

 

Principle Seven: Ensuring Good Working Conditions

A good workplace is essential to better mental health and productivity. In fact, the Harvard Business Review claims that “550 million workdays are lost each year due to stress on the job” and “more than 80% of doctor visits are due to stress.”

We always make an effort to ensure that our partners are working in clean and safe environments, and with proper sunlight and ventilation. A portion of the proceeds from our Open Hands Line goes back to India to provide any needs of the families we partner with, like when Covid was effecting them badly and they needed supplies in their village to care for the sick. Recently, a major need has been more land to expand operations so they can have more room to work, as well as have the opportunity to offer even more jobs to those in need! They will even be providing transportation to work at their new location for anyone who needs that as well. 

If our partners have needs related to making their work environment better, safer, and healthier, we never hesitate to help out where we can, and we are always ensuring to keep communication open along with a watchful eye to ensure working conditions are always to an ethical standard. 

 

Principle Eight: Providing Capacity Building

It’s important for any business that workers develop the skills and capabilities needed to do good and enjoyable work. For this reason, we communicate daily with our teams to ensure community needs are being met. If they aren’t, we provide training for our partners wherever it’s needed or resources that better the workflow of our team. 

 

Because of this, numerous people who might have not even had the skills to be employed elsewhere have had the opportunity to learn and grow their skills, which makes a huge impact on their lives! 

 

Principle Nine: Promoting Fair Trade

We know it isn’t enough to simply maintain sustainable and ethical practices if we want a future for our beautiful planet and fair living conditions for people across the globe. Unfortunately, there are still lots of brands out there who don’t share the same goals as Kantha Bae and other Fair Trade Organizations. We know that in order to do all we can to ensure the safety of earth and its people, we must speak up about the importance of fair trade.

Our story is the heartbeat of Kantha Bae, and therefore at the forefront of everything we do. We’re proud of our goals and accomplishments and want to inspire others to follow in our footsteps. For this reason, we use community platforms to encourage the consumption of slow fashion over fast fashion , partner with like-minded brands, and lead by example in the fashion industry.

We hope this inspires you to spread the word about fair trade principles as well. It can be difficult to shine our light on this world by ourselves, but it’s entirely possible when we come together with a united cause and a purpose.

 

 

Principle Ten: Respect for the Environment

We love our planet to bits. Earth is a special place, and Kantha Bae is committed to treating it with the love and respect it deserves. For this reason, we work with upcycled and pre-loved fabrics, actively try to limit the waste we produce in any way possible, use natural dyes to color our items, and do our very best to stay sustainable within each step of production.

If there is ever any way in which we are not using the most sustainable practices yet, know that we are actively working to do so in every way we can as a small business! 

 

 

Thank you, beautiful friend, for taking the time to read up on how we uphold the Principles of Fair Trade. It means so much to us that you’ve decided to be a part of our journey. Your support gives us the courage to do what we do.

Now it’s your turn! Don’t be afraid to go out there and stand up for what you believe in. Use that beautiful voice you were gifted with and keep shining your light on the world! 

Thank you for shining so bright in this community and helping us make changing these lives possible daily! You are loved, seen and appreciated always.