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Fairtrade
THE ISSUE OF FAIR TRADE
As an international clothing manufacturer, we want to set an example by introducing a collection made of fairly traded cotton. Counter to the common image of globalization, it is possible to manufacture trousers under fair working conditions along the entire manufacturing chain from Africa to Europe – at a price that is, in the truest sense of the word, fair.
If you already own a pair of Meyer trouser, you know this does not mean compromising quality. If you do not yet have the pleasure, visit your local retailer to feel the high quality of the fabric and to try out the outstanding fit.
You care about quality. You take responsibility. We are happy that our efforts to provide an excellent product can also help improve living conditions for people around the world.
COTTON - THE WHITE GOLD
Cotton is by far the most important natural fiber. In the areas of manufacturing, transport and warehousing alone, around 350 million people work in the cotton industry worldwide. In introducing fair trade cotton, we intentionally focused on Africa. On the world market, African manufacturers are in direct competition with the major manufacturers in the cotton industry.
How does fair trade with cotton work?
Cotton is not traded on the stock market like coffee. Because of high cotton subsidies in industrialized countries, there has been a significant price decline for cotton on the world market. As a result, farmers in developing countries in particular are forced to sell their cotton at dumping prices. However, this amount often does not even cover their manufacturing costs. With fair trade, on the other hand, manufacturers are paid fixed minimum prices above the local market prices. This means that their manufacturing costs are covered, and it significantly improves the manufacturers´ living and working conditions. In addition, there is also a fair trade bonus that is intended for financing social projects. For instance, it can be used to build schools for the children of the cotton pickers or to improve health care.
What criteria must the manufacturers fulfill?
Fair trade intentionally strengthens small farmers who are organized within cooperatives. Often, cotton is the only source of income for these farmers. Thus diversification is particularly encouraged – for their own needs as well as for selling. This reduces the farmers´ economic dependence on cotton and creates new sources of income for the manufacturers.
Cooperatives that want to sell their cotton under fair trade conditions must fulfill the following conditions:
- No forced labor or illegal child labor.
- The individual cooperatives must be open to new members and avoid all forms of discrimination.
- The organization must be independent and democratically controlled by its members. This especially applies to the use of additional proceeds from fair trade.
- The use of harmful pesticides and genetically manipulated seeds is not permitted.
Cotton manufacturer Boukoungou Wennigda from Kayao: "With fair trade, I can send my children to school."
YOU CARE ABOUT QUALITY. WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
Worldwide, millions of people – and often children – are involved in manufacturing textiles. Degrading working conditions, poverty wages and inhumane work hours are all in a day´s work. We consider this situation unsustainable. That´s why we manufacture MEYER garmnnts in our own European factory. Our compliance with international social and ecological standards has been confirmed by FLO–CERT, the world´s largest independent social certification body. By buying a pair of Meyer trousers, you are supporting the principles of fair trade without sacrificing excellent, tailor–made quality.
FAIRLY TRADED.FAIRLY MANUFACTURED.
The issue of FAIR TRADE is becoming more and more important for European consumers. In fact, the fair manufacturing of clothing in compliance with modern social standards is a given for MEYER and for specialized trade. For the new season, we are therefore introducing two items that have been awarded the internationally recognized FAIR TRADE seal. To receive this, Meyer underwent an extensive independent certification process in 2008, as did our upstream suppliers. The Fair Trade seal thus guarantees a completely fair manufacturing chain and stands for the principles of fair trade.
What does Meyer have to do to receive the fair trade seal?
Only companies that contractually agree to comply with the fair trade criteria and undergo a review by FLO–Cert GmbH can use the fair trade seal.
The three pillars of the fair trade standard are economy, ecology and social issues:
- The importers and manufacturers pay the cotton producers a fixed minimum price that always covers the manufacturing costs.
- In addition, a fair trade bonus must be paid; the cooperative can decide how to use this.
- Upon request, the harvest must be pre–financed at up to 60 percent of the contractual price.
- The goal is to create long–term and stable trade relationships.
