Fair Trade Policy

In hired labour situations (factories, plantations) the benefits of FairTrade shall normally reach the workers and their communities as main target groups. There is an annual workers assembly which provides the opportunity for all workers to formally come together and discuss their needs with the management, as well as to gain experience in investing FairTrade Premiums to achieve a ‘social return’ in their communities. Birlik will create an impact of FairTrade on social groups in need of special support or for community projects such as education, womens’ participation to social life, etc.. The intended beneficiaries of FairTrade will be distributed amoung farmers To support farmers and farming community, the cost of goods may be higher than market price. The difference should be translated as the premium of their works. In case of fair trade premium, the fund will be used for better living standard of farmers and workers. The decision will be taken together with farmers’ and workers’ representatives. The FairTrade Premium is administered in a clearly separate bank account, and all use for agreed social projects is well documented. Decisions on the use of the FairTrade Premium are taken either by the assembly of workers or by a FairTrade Fund Decision Committee. Such a committee must always include workers and possibly external experts or buyer representatives, not only company management. An institutionalized workers assembly and active workers representation board allows companies to better understand and address worker issues through this open forum. Premium fund money is intended to finance sustainable social community projects or social projects for the workers directly. It may not be used for business investments of for meeting the company’s regulatory obligations Birlik commits to improve working conditions for all or at least most marginalized workers; plans social community projects in the workers’ communities.