Ethical Consumption: US/Leap Views on Fair Trade, Other Certification Programs, and Consumer Power

This article presents US/Leap’s views Fair Trade labeling schemes and their benefits to workers and consumers globally. Examples of effective certification labels and other tools that serve mainly as corporate marketing tools are included. US/Leap mostly takes the position that certification programs have not yet demonstrated that they are effective enough to ensure protection for worker rights and justice for workers

US/Leap Quarterly Newsletter, Issue #3

The US Labor Education in the Americas Project is an independent non-profit organization that supports the basic rights of workers in Latin America, especially those who are employed directly or indirectly by U.S. companies. This newsletter includes articles on the Latin American Banana Union’s action plan in their campaign with Dole, Maquila updates, and the Colombian flower workers’ strike

Exploring the dilemma of local sourcing versus international development - The case of the flower industry

This paper examines the debate surrounding local versus international sourcing of retail products, particularly food and flowers, in light of the emerging carbon imperative. It begins by examining the Fairtrade market and then examines ‘food miles’ and carbon impact. The complexity of sourcing decisions when considering both international development issues and the emerging carbon agenda is considered using the case of the cut flower industry