Approved by the IFSW Executive
Policy
IFSW promotes the need for international trade agreements to be socially just, fair and sustainable as measured against the World Fair Trade Organisation’s principles, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the standards of the International Labour Organisation and consistent with the IFSW Ethical principles.
IFSW members will advocate for the realisation of socially just trade agreements.
Background
Trade agreements impact on all aspects of our lives. The lives of millions of the most marginalised and vulnerable peoples of this earth are severely affected by international trade agreements that promulgate exploitation, inequality and the division of wealthy and poor countries. Such trade agreements sanctioned by the World Trade Organization are one of the major reasons why six- sevenths of the world’s population continue to live in poverty and have little opportunity for real and meaningful economic development. IFSW advocates that trade agreements promote human rights, fair pricing, international standards of labour, enforced corporate social responsibilities, capacity building for developing countries, agreed forms of dialogue underpinning supply and demand agreements – enabling all parties to participate, and share in benefits.
Following the mandate from the General meeting in Seoul in 2016 (see Appendix 2), the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) has investigated the establishing of a working group to consider the impacts of international trade agreements on our communities. Concerns surround the potential of several international trade agreements to act as catalysts for social and human rights injustices.
Following some difficulties establishing the working group, as the next step it was agreed that a guiding framework for socially just, fair and sustainable trade be established for IFSW to use as the basis for evaluating any international trade agreement. Following such an evaluation, IFSW could issue a position statement on any international trade agreement enabling the profession to voice its concerns and make recommendations to the parties concerned and IFSW members.
Guiding Principles
Following review of a range of trading principles and rules, it is recommended that the guidelines be based on the World Fair Trade Organisations (WFTO) 10 principles of fair trade with links, to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the standards of International Labour Organisation (ILO). These guidelines are congruous with social work values and the IFSW Ethical Principles.
International Trade agreements will be measured against the WTFO Principles and United Nation Sustainable Development Goals as listed in Appendix 1
Process
- The IFSW Global Trade Agreements Working Group (Working Group) with representation from at least two regions is
- Identified trade agreements will be measured / evaluated by the Working group against the WTFO Principles and United Nation Sustainable Development Goals listed in the Appendix of this
- The Working Group will draft position statements in line with their findings and forward to IFSW secretary general. The Working Group may also be engaged in investigative research and co-authoring reports/articles from the group on behalf of
- IFSW member countries are encouraged to advocate for socially just trade in line with the position statements.
- There will be Quarterly (more frequently if required) Skype meetings of the Working Group The meetings will be organised by the founding members initially and then rotated through the members
- A web space on IFSW website will be requested and maintained
Conclusion
International Trade agreements intrude on all aspects of our lives. Millions of the most marginalised and vulnerable peoples of this earth may be severely affected if agreements are allowed to become to become law that do not conform to the measures outlined in this document.
As members of the International Social Work profession, it is our obligation to speak out against systems (both locally and internationally) that work against human rights and social justice. Through this we can highlight the injustices, educate our fellow citizens to the potential discrimination being lavished across sectors of the population and hopefully one day live in a world where every human being is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Members of IFSW can use the position statements as the basis for further advocacy to their respective governments to raise awareness and alternative options for socially just, fair and sustainable trade agreements.
Lead authors: Rose Henderson and Luis Arevalo
Appendix 1: WFTO Principles and UN Sustainable Development Goals
WFTO Principle One: Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers
Poverty reduction through trade forms a key part of the organisation’s aims. The organisation supports marginalised small producers, whether these are independent family businesses, or grouped in associations or co-operatives. It seeks to enable them to move from income insecurity and poverty to economic self-sufficiency and ownership. The organisation has a plan of action to carry this out.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
WFTO Principle Two: Transparency and Accountability
The organisation is transparent in its management and commercial relations. It is accountable to all its stakeholders and respects the sensitivity and confidentiality of commercial information supplied. The organisation finds appropriate, participatory ways to involve employees, members and producers in its decision-making processes. It ensures that relevant information is provided to all its trading partners. The communication channels are good and open at all levels of the supply chain.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries. Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
WFTO Principle Three: Fair Trade Practices
The organisation trades with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalised small producers and does not maximise profit at their expense. It is responsible and professional in meeting its commitments in a timely manner. Suppliers respect contracts and deliver products on time and to the desired quality and specifications.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
WFTO Principle Four: Fair Payment
A fair payment is one that has been mutually negotiated and agreed by all through on-going dialogue and participation, which provides fair pay to the producers and can also be sustained by the market, taking into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. The aim is always the payment of a Local Living Wage. Fair Payment is made up of Fair Prices, Fair Wages and Local Living Wages.
UN sustainable Development Goals
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
WFTO Principle Five: Ensuring no Child Labour and Forced Labour
The organisation adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and national / local law on the employment of children. The organisation ensures that there is no forced labour in its workforce and / or members or homeworkers.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
WFTO Principle Six: Commitment to Non- Discrimination, Gender Equity and Women’s Economic
Empowerment, and Freedom of Association
The organisation does not discriminate in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, HIV/AIDS status or age.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
WFTO Principle Seven: Ensuring Good Working Conditions
The organisation provides a safe and healthy working environment for employees and / or members. It complies, at a minimum, with national and local laws and ILO conventions on health and safety. Working hours and conditions for employees and / or members (and any homeworkers) comply with conditions established by national and local laws and ILO conventions.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
WFTO Principle Eight: Providing Capacity Building
The organisation seeks to increase positive developmental impacts for small, marginalised producers through Fair Trade.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
WFTO Principle Nine: Promoting Fair Trade
The organisation raises awareness of the aim of Fair Trade and of the need for greater justice in world trade through Fair Trade. It advocates for the objectives and activities of Fair Trade according to the scope of the organisation. The organisation provides its customers with information about itself, the products it markets, and the producer organisations or members that make or harvest the products. Honest advertising and marketing techniques are always used.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
WFTO Principle Ten: Respect for the Environment
Organisations which produce Fair Trade products maximise the use of raw materials from sustainably managed sources in their ranges, buying locally when possible. They use production technologies that seek to reduce energy consumption and where possible use renewable energy technologies that minimise greenhouse gas emissions. They seek to minimise the impact of their waste stream on the environment. Fair Trade agricultural commodity producers minimise their environmental impacts, by using organic or low pesticide use production methods wherever possible.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.