Looking for 'fair trade' items this Christmas- demand accountability. 'Fair Trade' risks becoming a meaningless term unless the public rises up and demands accountability.  I have found the more people market 'fair trade' in their advertising, the less specifics are provided.

If someone claims to give back profits to those in need, then demand to know 'how much?'  Private companies often do not want to say. There is more advertising value in just saying things and not offering any measureable quantities.

If someone says our workers are paid a 'fair wage', demand to know 'how much?' 

If someone says our purses are made by polio and landmine victims, demand to know 'where?' Any reputable company would have the names readily available.

If we let labels take the place of verifiable information, then it is the very people at the bottom that will lose.

'Fair trade' runs the risk of just being another way to exploit the poor for extra profits.

The best organizations- those that benefit disadvantaged pepople the most, are those that are located in the countries where they work.  This is the best way to guarantee the real source of their products.

Also- the best organizations- the ones that benefit the same people, are those companies who design their own products. It is these companies that are creating real opportunity and not just piggybacking off the efforts of others.

Trading with the poor is not a virtue. It is often done only for the reason that the price is low. Not demanding specific information just creates wide loopholes for business to exploit.  This is not the way to protect the poor. This is just another form of exploitation.

The best way to make trade fair is to ask questions and demand verifiable specifics.  This way workers will directly benefit from your efforts and oversight - and isn't that the goal?