The following conditions must exist
for fair trade to be possible:
- Freedom
of association to be guaranteed. Recognition of independent,
democratic trade unions and the right to organise and bargain
collectively.
- Workers
must be paid a living wage.
- Guaranteed
adequate housing, sanitation and safe water.
- Weekly
hours to be fixed at 40 hours over 5 days. Double time for overtime.
- No
child below the school leaving age or the national registration
age, whichever is lower, should work on a tea plantation.
- health
and safety standards:
- provision of protective clothing
- no use of banned chemicals
- training in occupational health & safety
- establishment of safety committees.
- No
discrimination on grounds of gender or race. Equal pay for equal
work. Access to training and promotion should be available for
women.
- Vocational
training and paid time-off for trade union education.
- Casual,
seasonal, piece-rate and task work should be discouraged but
where it is unavoidable, pay and benefits should not be less
then those of permanent workers.
- There
should be paid maternity leave of at lest 90 days, in addition
to annual leave, with no loss of seniority. Paid paternity leave
should also be granted.
- Respect
for workers and dignity of labour. Sexual harassment of women
will not be tolerated.
- Provision
of welfare facilities and adequate social security provision
especially retirement benefits.
- Workers
children should have access to a crèche and school within reasonable
walking distance.
- Environmentally
friendly production of tea should be encouraged
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