Fair Trade is growing and that is our proof that we are gaining our fight against extreme poverty. The WFTO membership count doubled from 155 Fair Trade organisations in 2005 to 355 in 2014. In the same period, the turnovers of these members quadrupled from 136 million euros to 448 million euros.
To ensure their way out of poverty, producer-beneficiaries of WFTO members receive fair prices for their products, long-term income security, capacity-building and life-skills trainings, no discrimination, no slavery, and good working condition.
“It is unacceptable that there are still over 1 billion people living in extreme poverty and deep deprivation. That is why at WFTO we fight poverty together with the small producers through sustainable solutions. The 10 Fair Trade Principles are our weapon. It is important that the eradication of poverty is done together with those affected. And with the support of consumers and businesses Fair Trade can go even further in its contribution to poverty eradication.” – Rudi Dalvai, WFTO President
WFTO believes that poverty can be effectively eradicated by empowering small producers, giving them fair and sustainable means of livelihoods.
When Naree, one of the artisans from Thai Tribal Crafts Fair Trade, was asked what would happen if she didn’t have a chance to be the artisan, she said, "I am afraid and didn’t have opportunity to work at other places because I can not read and write in Thai. I even can not speak well today. So, I have to stay in the mountain areas and struggle life as farmers. Through Thai Tribal Crafts, I can help my husband and support our Children especially for their education. So, I am really thankful to all fair trade buyers” (P.S The hill tribe people speak their own dialects and many of the elderly people can not speak Thai though younger generations do).
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