Fair wages for small producers pushed

CEBU, Philippines - In its persistent battle against poverty, climate change and economic crisis, World Fair Trade Organization continues to celebrate fair trade as a tangible contribution to bring about change in the world and create an impact on its most vulnerable populations.

With the theme “Dare to be Fair”, the worldwide event aims not just to encourage the public to buy fairly-traded goods but also to ensure fair wages and sustainable livelihood for small producers.

Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center Managing Director Geraldine Labradores said that the initiative of the World Fair Trade Day 2012 is geared towards the support of the grassroots community and climate resiliency program bonded together with social enterprise.

“Fair trade makes a change. We may be small in different outlets but we are reaching out the smallest sector of the community,” she stated.

She added that since the annual event will be also hosted in the Queen City of the South, Cebuanos should express their utmost support in the achievement of its goals.

She said that this year’s celebration would be different since it would highlight a back-to-back fair trade bazaar and fair trade concert-for-a-cause with an added workshops and seminars on financial management, savings awareness, natural farming and sustainable agriculture.

With 6000 tickets to be sold for the concert, Labradores is hopeful to have more than 3000 attendees and to generate P1 million as its gross sales which will proceed to the climate resiliency program for farmer communities, recycling for livelihood of women and campaign for land for the fair trade processing plant.

She noted that there would also be booths in the concert showing all fair trade producers as well as companies that are non-fair trade manufacturers but are supporters of the trade show such as Aromacology, Prosell and Masterline.

In coordination with Sto. Niño Social Foundation, the fair trade concert-for-a-cause serves as an ecological evangelization and a faith – based engagement of environment protection and poverty alleviation.

Lucien Letaba, Director of the Fair Trade Concert, said that the whole concept focuses on music and advocacy, targeting entertainment and education in one event.

Featuring Jim Paredes of Apo Hiking Society, Cattski, Budoy, the Wonggoys and Fr. Jonas Mijares, OSA, he further said that the concert will serve as a two-hour treat for Cebuanos with a purpose.

The Fair Trade Bazaar will be held at the Fair Trade Shop along Osmeña Boulevard on May 12 while the Fair Trade Concert will be conducted in the Basilica del Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center on May 26. (FREEMAN)