Fair Trade Clothing

Major retailers are being urged to stock more fair trade school uniforms.

The International Development Minister has written to Asda, Marks and Spencer, Next, Sainsburys and Tesco.

Humza Yousaf wants parents to have a choice when buying for their children and says the move would also ensure a fair wage for workers who make the clothes.

Speaking ahead of opening a conference on fair trade for school children in Glasgow, Mr Yousaf said:

"Small changes like choosing to buy fair trade school uniforms can make huge differences to the lives of the people who make the clothes.

"Parents and carers should have a choice when they're picking school uniforms for their children, to allow them to buy products that will see their children through the school year – whilst also ensuring a fair wage for the workers who make the clothes. This would make a real difference to these workers lives and those of their children, and would help to ensure that they too could afford to send their children to school.

"That's why I’m writing to major high street uniform suppliers calling on them to improve the amount of fair trade school clothes on offer. We know it can be done, there are already many fair trade uniform providers, but parents currently have to seek out ethically produced school clothes – every uniform retailer should sell them.

"I want kids in Scotland to go to school in uniforms they know have been produced by people who are given a fair wage and a fair chance."

Pamela L'Intelligent, who works for Craft Aid, a Fair Trade company, in Mauritius, said:

"I started working in textiles when I was just 13, and left my first job because I was exposed to unnecessary risks.

"Since I started working at Craft Aid I've learnt new skills, I can now make entire garments, not just individual pieces, and I'm able to have a better work-life balance, spending more time with my daughter."

Martin Rhodes, Chair of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, said:

"It's a privilege to hear first-hand about the difference Fair Trade makes to textile workers like Pamela. Fair Trade means we can all make a difference."