In addition to providing artisans with a fair wage, one of the key components of fair trade practices includes the prohibition of child labor. Saturday, June 12 was the World Day to End Child Labor. Mayu believes that children around the world are entitled to heath, education, and a fair shot at having a childhood. To this end, we ensure that our Peruvian artisans NEVER employ any sort of child labor in their undertakings. Poverty is usually considered cyclical in nature, and we at Mayu believe that the first step in alleviating poverty is to protect children’s rights: nutrition, education, and social, emotional and cognitive development.
We, as members of the Fair Trade Federation recognize that “fair trade means that all children have the right to security, education, and play. Throughout the trading chain, members respect and support the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as local laws and social norms. Members disclose the involvement of children in production. Members do not support child trafficking and exploitative child labor.” (From FTF.org)
One of the great organizations that does such great work with ending child labor is UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. For more information on ending child labor, you can visit their website. Stay tuned to Mayu’s blog, Twitter, and Facebook for more on human rights, fair trade, and development news!
♥ (Who would want anything but the best for these Peruvian children?! ) ♥
Tags: artisans, child labor, Fair Trade, Mayu, Peru
