MEC Pride Logo

The real deal behind Fair Trade at MEC

October 19, 2022

Found in Community news, Gear

When you choose Fair Trade Factory Certified™ products, your purchase helps positively impact workers’ lives, their communities and the environment. Fair Trade certification not only aligns with MEC’s goals around responsible sourcing, but it helps us go beyond auditing to establishing fair wages for workers and ensures that their rights are respected.

The MEC Label Fair Trade collection began in 2014 with women’s t-shirts and a single factory. Thanks to its popularity and impact, our Fair Trade collection has grown. Today, there are two Fair Trade Certified factories making MEC Label products, and we’ve nominated two more of our suppliers for Fair Trade Certification. To date, MEC has sent a total of over $320,000 to factory workers.

The range of our Fair Trade Certified products has expanded too, and now has everything from hiking pants and merino shirts to kids’ clothes and hoodies. Something we’re super excited about with the two new factories we’ve nominated? When their certification process is complete, it will mean we’ll be able to offer our first Fair Trade Certified backpacks.

Why does Fair Trade matter?

We often hear that people know Fair Trade is a good thing, but that they don’t really know exactly how it works – or what it means for the people working at Fair Trade Certified factories.

Here’s a deeper look to help you understand how your choices make a difference around the world.

Real deal behind Fair Trade

Globally, there are roughly 60–70 million garment workers and over 75% of them are women. Many of these people are exposed to excessive overtime hours, low compensation, gender-based discrimination, and environmental risks. Fair Trade was created as a way to make a difference for workers in these industries, push businesses to do better, and give people a choice about the type of industry they want to support.

A Fair Trade Certified seal means a product was manufactured under safe labour conditions. It also means it contributes to community projects funded by financial premiums. For every MEC Label Fair Trade Certified product, we pay an extra amount (known as a premium) that goes into a community development fund. This fund is a bank account managed by a committee of workers. Committee members identify potential ways to spend the funds based on household and community needs, and all workers vote to determine which project goes ahead that year for their location.

How has MEC’s involvement helped workers directly?

Over the years, Fair Trade premiums from MEC Label have funded a wide range of projects that directly impacted people’s lives. Some projects funded:

  • Household items, such as a refrigerator, fan, blender, washing machines, and food preparation items. These items cut down on the time spent doing chores or preparing food, increase time with family, and improve quality of life.
  • Water filters for clean, bacteria-free drinking water.
  • Language classes at the factory to support migrant workers.
  • A pesticide-free vegetable garden.
  • Fitness equipment for their workplace to encourage health, wellness and camaraderie for their team. Plus a weekly fitness class with incentives like a t-shirts, running shoes and a towel for continuous participation.
  • Emergency cash payments to meet critical needs due to factory closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By investing in Fair Trade practices, MEC ensures garment workers have safe working conditions, a voice in the workplace, higher earnings and equal treatment for women.

Person holding a large piece of fabric that's coming out of a machine and into a large tub

What’s next for Fair Trade at MEC?

Because we’ve seen the difference Fair Trade has made for workers in our supply chain, we’ve set goals to grow the Fair Trade program at MEC and increase our impact. In 2022, we’ve nominated two of our packs suppliers to become Fair Trade Certified. This will mean approximately 4,200 additional workers will be able benefit from the Fair Trade program and premium. For annual updates on how MEC is tracking, check out our sustainability progress report.

Want to help and make a difference?

A few ways consumers can help:

  • Look for the label. The program only works when you actually purchase the products. Seek out Fair Trade goods in all your shopping – apparel, home goods, beverages, produce.
  • Spread the word. It all starts with a simple act of sharing. Tell your family and friends why you support Fair Trade.
  • Get involved. As they say, think globally and act locally. Join or start a Fair Trade Campaign in your community to help grow awareness, availability and commitment to Fair Trade.

A few of my favourite MEC Label Fair Trade products

The last two years, I’ve been living in MEC Fair Trade t-shirts and MEC Logo Joggers. They’re comfy, soft and are awesome value for clothing that’s Fair Trade certified. Plus, they’re made with organically grown cotton and bluesign®-approved polyester.

Of course, MEC Label is just one brand with Fair Trade options. Some other Fair Trade favourites of mine? The Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Pullover has been my trusted fleece for years, and sipping on Camino Fair Trade Instant Hot Chocolate is incredibly tasty.

Note: all photos in factories were taken before COVID-19.

Related articles


Recent articles