Fair trade has been defined as an organized social movement and market-based approach to alleviating global poverty and promoting sustainability. Fair trade’s strategic intent is to deliberately work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency. It also aims at empowering them to become stakeholders in their own organizations and actively play a wider role in the global arena to achieve greater equity in international trade.  You can read more about the 10 Principles of Fair Trade on the WFTO website. Factories and products certified “Fair Trade,” empower the consumer to choose products made under fair conditions. Joyya is committed to providing fair, living wages and a healthy working environment for all employees. Wages are well above the national minimum and all staff receives training, health care, child care, and savings and retirement plans. Joyya is a member of the Fair Trade Federation, a U.S-based network of fair trade businesses, as well as members of the WTFO.