Anne says that Cafod's mission is rooted in pulling people out of poverty and delivering justice for all, and that key ethical trade principles - like paying workers a living wage and allowing them the freedom to join a trade union of their choice - are critical drivers in making this happen.

Need for a more strategic approach to ethical trade

IT-related industries are often thought of as `clean and green' but in fact workers may be experiencing the same problems as those working in other sectors.

Anne says that ETI has helped raise awareness of issues around particularly vulnerable workers, like homeworkers, and welcomes the ETI´s view that it's not enough for companies to just send in teams of auditors and tell suppliers what they need to do to improve their practices. She welcomes ETI's call for companies to shift to a more strategic approach, which includes supporting suppliers to make improvements to their workers' conditions, and integrating ethical trade into their core business practices.

Anne believes that companies´ responsibilities to improve conditions for workers in global supply chains extend beyond ‘traditional' industries like fashion, footwear and food to include others such as mobile phones and computers.

"Frequently IT-related industries are thought of as `clean and green,' but in fact workers may be experiencing the same problems as those working in other sectors."

Blanca's story

Anne comments: "For me, the real champions are those who are trying to speak up about their conditions despite opposition or a lack of opportunities." She recalls Blanca's story as highlighting the impact of companies' practices on individuals and an inspiration for her to persist in tackling the challenges of ethical trade.

Blanca's message had a real impact, but the test will be to see that translated into lasting changes.

Anne says, "Blanca is an IT worker in Mexico whom I met through our labour rights partner organisation CEREAL. Although quietly spoken, with no history of talking in public, last year she addressed an audience of high-level executives from IT companies to tell them the story of her working life. In just two years, she had had 30 short-term contracts. As a result she has had no security, no paid time off, unpredictable working hours and no certainty of a steady income."

Blanca's talk highlighted for her audience at first hand the human cost of so-called flexible working practices. Shey says:

"I believe that Blanca's message had a real impact on these executives, but the test will be to see that translated into lasting changes in the companies' practices."

No room for complacency

Anne is keenly critical of any sense of complacency and is clear in her hopes for the future of ethical trade. She wants consumers to take an interest in ethical trade; companies to be much more open and transparent in where they are sourcing from, and to ensure that workers themselves get much more of a say in shaping their own destinies.