World Social Justice Day focuses on Fair Trade in Bangladesh

Nearly a third of the world's working people live in poverty, report finds "Fair Trade and Poverty Eradication. The case of Bangladesh", published today by the Coordinadora Estatal de Comercio Justo. The study is released on the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice (every 20 February, since 2007) and tells how Fair Trade organisations contribute to poverty reduction not only from an economic point of view.

This situation of poverty affects women in particular, and is remembered every 20 February on the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice. Coinciding with this World Day, the study  "Fair Trade and Poverty Eradication. The case of Bangladesh". tells the story of the reality in this country and describes how Fair Trade works in a holistic way to combat the different faces of poverty.

Bangladesh, poverty and Fair Trade

Bangladesh is a country with 40% of its population living in poverty. This situation is not reduced even in important sectors of its economy such as textiles, as its growth is based on low wages and few labour inspections. Some Fair Trade initiatives try to improve this reality. Such as the artisan organisation BASEwhich employs 10,000 women in decent conditions.

Workers are organised in 17 production groups in different parts of the country and receive a salary of about 10,000 taka (4.40 dollars a day). As a result, they are able to maintain a dignified life. In addition, BASE provides the workers with basic services such as health care, education and credit.

The study "Fair Trade and poverty eradication. The case of Bangladesh" looks in particular at the benefits of this initiative among the women of the BASE organisation, who produce jute baskets, textiles, decorative items and footwear.

Global poverty: the figures

Poverty is a complex reality with multiple faces, although there are more than 1,500 Fair Trade producer organisations around the world trying to alleviate this dramatic situation. Some figures on global poverty are:

• One in nine people in the world suffer from hunger.
• More than 800 million people live on less than $1.25 a day, according to the United Nations. Many without access to adequate food, clean water or sanitation.
• 11% of the world's population suffers from extreme poverty.
• Almost a third of the world's working class lives in poverty, according to the ILO. Women are particularly hard hit by this reality.
• The global gender pay gap stands at 23%.
• 74% of people living in poverty suffer from the effects of land degradation.

Download and consult the report on the website www.comerciojusto.org