About Fairtrade
Fairtrade products are allowed to be produced and sold only if a certain set of standards is fulfilled. These criteria are inter alia based on fundamental human rights in working life, in particular the ILO Core Conventions on freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining and against forced labour, child labour and discrimination.
Fairtrade standards also cover wage levels and determine guaranteed minimum product prices, resulting in long-term trading relationships and agreements between producers and buyers. Furthermore, the criteria regulate working conditions for employed workforce as regards health and safety. In addition, there are standards aiming to improve environment and promote ecological production.
Part of LO's international activities
LO is, together with the Church of Sweden, part-owner of the Company Fairtrade Sweden, which owns the trade mark and decides who is to sell the products. LO is also a member of the Swedish Association for Fairtrade, which is engaged in increasing the interest and demand for Fairtrade labelled products in Sweden
For LO Fairtrade complements the international activities to strengthen workers' rights. Cooperation between trade union organisations at local level and Fairtrade in the countries of production is an important tool to promote social dialogue.
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