PFTA a world model: ILO publication
Abu Sale, Al ‘Araqa village Palestine
WORLD MODEL: The Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA) has been recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a model for rural development for the world. The PFTA was featured as a case study in the recent Learning from Catalyst of Rural Transformation publication of the ILO. The ILO was founded in 1919, in the wake of a destructive war, to pursue a vision based on the premise that universal, lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice. The ILO became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946.
PFTA is a world model for rural transformation: the ILO
The key message of all the studies in the publication is that the determination and creativity of the indigenous people, especially rural men and women, and young people, can overcome numerous challenges and transform rural economies and societies. The PFTA has succeeded in doing this in spite of Palestine being under hostile military occupation.
HISTORY: There is a great history of the PFTA since it's founding in 2004 in the study. They were selected by the ILO for the size and scope of their impact on the ground, for bringing meaningful social, economic and political changes, while originating in the farming community in Palestine, not imposed from the outside by an agency or NGO. The study focuses on the motivating forces, determination and vision of the founders of the PFTA and Canaan Fair Trade as a 'valuable lesson on success factors for rural transformation and decent work creation'.
GIVING BACK: By guaranteeing the sales of its members' products, the PFTA also improves the working opportunities and conditions of the wider Palestinian community, the study points out. Farm producers can make long-term investments in their farms, and over 2,400 seasonal farm workers gain employment for 3 months during the olive harvest at a PFTA minimum wage that is an average 60% higher than the Palestinian wage. The social premium paid by Canaan to the PFTA, the cooperatives and the farmers further contributes to the general development of the farming communities, as it is often reinvested by them in community projects like health care and education.
Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA)
the largest fair trade producers' union in Palestine, with over 1700 small Palestinian farmers and 200 women producers joined in 50 village-based fair trade cooperatives.
empowers local farmers through training that enables them to be certified in fair trade and organic farming, which facilitates their access to international markets.
results in small and marginalized producers ability to overcome some of the challenges of Israeli military occupation and make a living with traditional dignified work.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: The PFTA is a Palestinian non profit organization that fits our mission of sustaining traditional farming communities in Palestine. You support their results when you:
plant olive and almond trees in Palestine through the PFTA Trees for Life program
help expand the market for fair trade Palestinian olive oil and foods so the PFTA can grow. There are farmers and producers in the West Bank and Gaza who would like to join the PFTA. Since the PFTA guarantees the sales of its members' products, they have to limit their cooperatives to the size of the market. Your simple act of purchasing olive oil and food from their producer and exporter, Canaan Fair Trade, will not only give you great tasting food but will help more farming communities in Palestine experience the benefits of fair trade.