COTTON.

Design for Ethical Production

Workers, in many parts of the world, are not only being unpaid but also work in dangerous conditions. The prices of cotton have gone down in the last years, meaning that places like India or West Africa are very low income.

Foundations such as Fairtrade provide better working conditions. It cares for workers,and supports farmers. By reaching their full potential it enables them to maintain their livelhood. Often the cotton is grown organically to minimaise the impact on the environment. In a way it tries to protect our planet, and also prevents descrimination or illegal child labour. Fairtrade is 50% owned by the producers witch makes them have an equal voice. They are more than welcome to be involved in decisions on use of resources, strategy, setting standards and prices. The foundation gives an additional sum of money to communities, imoroving their environmental and social coditions.

As  designers have a social impact, I think they can encourage support and value people with skills. Look at engaging with suppliers or factory owners that treat their workers fairly. There's few companies who decided to setup a production in their local area to have control over how their workers are treated. If a designer supports a craft skill in a certain country, for example Africa, it can start by setting up a sustainable enterprise and give emplyment to that community. To me, it works out best for both.

Fairtrade Foundation. Cotton. [online]Available at: <http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/farmers-and-workers/cotton>.