We, the laborers of the United States of America, are considerably blessed to work in a country that actually enforces fair labor standards and practices. We have laws that protect us from exploitation, mismanagement, negligence and unfair treatment. We often take these laws for granted since they are more or less engrained into our expectations as a culture. These are things like minimum wage, the 40-hour workweek, overtime, age requirements, healthy work conditions, and breaks. However, a large part of the world has little, or no, such standards or requirements.These are countries like Vietnam, Mexico, China, India, Bangladesh, Guatemala, Columbia, and Uganda to name a few – where many of the products we love are made and produced.

It’s wild to look at the products we buy and see where they were actually assembled. I’ve been trying to be more conscience about what I buy. As of late, I’ve been trying to purchase more American made products for a number of reasons – 1) it strengthens local/domestic markets 2) for the most part working conditions are better here and 3) it potentially reduces environmental impacts (i.e. Less shipping = less carbon dioxide and we have more stringent environmental laws = less unchecked pollution). I was recently amazed to find that Levi jeans, what I thought was the quintessential American denim, are no longer made in the USA. The majority of their pants are now made in China, which then begs the question “Who is making them and how are they being made?”

The idea I’m trying to stir up here is that if you don’t know where a product is made or even how it’s made, do some research. Start with one product like coffee. See where it is made, who produced it, and how it was produced. If you’re like me, then you don’t want to buy items that are made unethically. This is extremely difficult to determine and do since a large quantity of products are made over seas. It takes some serious fortitude and exploration to find the truth behind products.  However, it’s vital for becoming a wise consumer and loving world neighbor. This may sound intense for some, but when we purchase items that are unethically made, we are supporting that method of production. In other words, when we agree with the end (buying a product), we are also agreeing with the means (the way it was produced).

There are organizations out there that are trying to make it easy on you as a consumer. The simplest thing to do is purchase products that are Fair Trade Certified (see logo to the right). These are products that are made with social equity, environmental responsibility, and economic vitality in mind. Check out some of the Fair Trade principles from Transfair USA below:

Fair Trade is much more than a fair price!  Fair Trade principles include:

• Fair price: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.
• Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
• Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
• Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.
• Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.
• Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.

I challenge you to join me in doing some research on what we buy so we can truly stand behind the products we purchase and the people who make them. I don’t want to buy anything that supports a market for child labor, poor working conditions, and the like.  If you do join me in this challenge please share your findings. I would love to know what you find!