Two supermarket chains have agreed to a new code of practice which commits them to paying fair prices to farmers and other producers of own-brand goods in the developing world. In a breakthrough for "ethical trading" campaigners, Quinnsworth and Crazy Prices (both owned by UK chain Tesco), and the Irish chain Superquinn have assented to the code of practice for fair trading. They have also agreed to stock "fairly-traded" goods.
Dunnes Stores has agreed to meet representatives of the Off Your Trolley campaign, organised by young people who want better working conditions for workers in the Third World.
"We hope this initial step will lead to them reviewing their purchasing policies and adopting a code of conduct - so that a debacle like the St Bernard shirts from Burma never happens again," said a campaign organiser, Mr Liam Wegimont.
Quinnsworth and Crazy Prices are following the lead set by their parent company Tesco, which has agreed to similar policies in the UK.
Senator Feargal Quinn, owner of Superquinn, has challenged other retailers to follow suit. "After the Christmas rush period, we will convene a meeting of all the operators. Our aim will be to see if we can hammer out a common approach that meets the ethical demands of our customers."
By Christmas, the organisers hope to have collected more than £3 million in till receipts as a symbolic gesture to pressurise retailers into change. These are being returned to the shops with a plea for the better treatment of workers who produce own-brand goods.
The Irish grocery trade is worth £4 billion a year. The average weekly spend per household is about £70. But many goods are produced by underpaid, overworked farmers.
For example, Svanthamma, a tea-picker from Sri Lanka, works on the plantation from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. She is paid 50p a day.
Sonia, an 11-year-old Indian, stitches footballs at 12p apiece. She manages to stitch two balls a day.
The code of practice advocates fair wages, normal working hours, minimum damage to the environment, written contracts of employment and a ban on child labour. Fair wages are defined as being above the industry average and sufficient for basic needs.
