FairTrade and Fair Wear – The Backbone of Irish Sustainable Clothing Brands

 How many of you know about Fairtrade and Fair Wear? We doubt a handful would raise their hands to the question. This blog post is not for them but for the other half who are oblivious of the existence of such organisations and their guiding principles. If you are interested in saving the Earth by embracing affordable ethical clothing, this is your chance to take the first step. Learn the concepts and eco-friendly practices that are the foundations of Irish sustainable clothing brands operating in Ireland and beyond.

Fairtrade – What is it?

Fairtrade is an arrangement and a label on brands that affirm products manufactured under its guiding principles have been produced responsibly. The farmers and producers who are involved in it, receive a fair share from its sale. The practice upholds a socially and economically responsible environment for those involved in the trade. The arrangement to date has saved many farmers from market fluctuations and has replenished the communal fund for the welfare of the community. The organisation, renowned for its sustainability label, is owned and run by representatives of workers and farmers. This is why the community enjoys a stronghold in every decision it takes.

The next time you go shopping and spot sustainable T-shirts in Ireland having a Fairtrade label on them, know for certain that those have been manufactured by meeting the ethical standards in mind.

Fair Wear – How is it Different?

On the contrary, Fair Wear implies the maintenance of proper working conditions for labourers in the garment industry. Check below the standards established by this organisation for all eco-friendly clothing brands out there:

• No case of child labour

• Safe working conditions, keeping the health of workers in mind

• Zero discrimination

• No overtime for workers

• Free will of labourers to participate in employment

• Adequate income to cover the costs of living

• Right to collective bargaining

• An employment relationship that is bound legally

In other words, the idea is simple – making fashion fair for everyone. Irish sustainable clothing brands which conform to the above principles and bear the above label, undergo three different third-party checks under the Fair Wear Foundation.

• The authorities take turns to scrutinise the business practices and decisions made at the managerial level to confirm whether they are positively contributing to the working conditions of labourers and whether they will trigger issues at the factory level.

• Next, the authorities keep a close eye on the working conditions of workers at the factory.

• Lastly, the authorities personally speak to the garment workers to establish the credibility of the previous levels.

Even here, all three – trade unions, business associations and NGOs form the board for the greatest impact.

Wrapping up:

Now that you have learned about the two organisations responsible for the availability of eco-friendly clothing and the existence of brands dealing them, would you like to know someone who can meet your affordable ethical clothing demands?  Check out Reunion – the brand renowned for using organic cotton, Fairtrade practices and compostable bags for packaging garments.