Ethical considerations

“Business is business” or ” Pecunia non olet” are sentences which clearly summarize an unscrupulous and old fashion way of thinking and doing business.
Today “political correctness” and ethical principles are driving business towards new approaches to the new markets and especially when we are talking about the developing countries.

Rock superstar and U2 leader Bono is lauching a brand new collection based on the “fair trade” concept, selling in high street stores at high street prices clothes made in the third world by emerging and self-conscious communities. Profits will be devoted to develop social projects.
Apart a cynical suspect of “do-gooding”, these operations are honourable if done in good faith for noble causes.

Coming to our point, it is very easy to market at very competitive prices whereas international trade regulations are barely respected and human rights of the labour forces are sistematically abused.
Even though the first ring of the supply chain might seem respectful of the rules, the further you go the worse you find working conditions, involving children, pregnant women and, in general, the weakest and more vulnerable social groups.

In our countries, you know it very well, we pay the cost of our welfare, and we pay it willingly, because it is the price of our civilization.
Higher costs means better standard of living of the workers and for the population in general.
That’s why I dare say that buying from our countries is definitely “fair trade”.