UK to quadruple funding for fair and ethical trade

The UK Government is to quadruple its support for fair and ethical trade over the next four years, to a total of £18 million.

The Department for International Development (DFID)'s White Paper, Eliminating World Poverty: Building our Common Future is officially launched today (7 July 2009) and pledges to "help the poorest countries begin the task of transforming their growth potential."

In a letter to ETI, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said that the increased funding for ethical trade "reflects our recognition of the importance of the ethical trading agenda, and of respect for workers globally that ETI champions so well."

ETI Director Dan Rees welcomed the White Paper, saying "This could not have come at a more critical time for the world's workers. They are at the sharp end of the global recession, in some countries surviving on wages that are barely enough to pay for a month's supply of rice.

"It is fantastic to see such wholehearted support from our Government for ethical and fair trade. We are committed to working in close partnership with DFID to achieve our common goal of helping lift millions of workers around the world out of poverty."

In June, DFID announced the launch of a £3.5 million fund to help improve working conditions for their workers in the garment industry. According to DFID, the fund will "support and encourage ‘ethical pioneers' in the fashion industry - people and companies who have innovative ideas with the potential to drive change in the garment sector".

 

 

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