Our Fair Trade Policy

Whilst in Sri Lanka in 1994, Diane and Upul met some local workers outside of a toy factory, only to discover they were ex-employees of the factory, chasing payment for work completed three months earlier. So incensed at this injustice, they decided there and then that they would only buy from people who cared about their workforce.

This was the defining moment for the business and the catalyst which established our fair trade business ethic.

We have direct trading relationships with our producers, Upul travels to Sri Lanka regularly, working with our artisans to ensure fair trade working practices are met and maintained. Our commitment to our producers supports their growth and development, whilst ensuring their employees have a sense of job satisfaction and that their employment is valued. The producer groups offer their staff good rates of pay, equal opportunities and a safe working environment in compliance with the 10 Principles of Fair Trade.

At Lanka Kade, we comply with the internationally accepted 10 Principles of Fair Trade and we have been a proud and active member of BAFTS (The British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers) since 2001, with our Director Diane chairing the board for a couple of years.

10 Principles of Fair Trade

Our commitment to our producers supports their growth and development, whilst ensuring their employees have a sense of job satisfaction and know that their employment is valued. We comply with the internationally accepted 10 Principles of Fair Trade whilst also developing our own fair trade policy.

1) Creating opportunities
We support marginalised, small producers to enable them to move from income insecurity to economic self-sufficiency and ownership. Our key aim is poverty reduction through trade.

2) Transparency & accountability
We are transparent and accountable in our management, encouraging open and regular communication involving producers and their employees in our decision making processes.

3) Fair trade practices
We do not maximise profits at the expense of our producers. We maintain long term trading relationships with prompt payment, interest free loans and design products for their skills.

4) Fair payment
We encourage open dialogue and transparent price settings to facilitate mutual agreement of a fair and equal price with producers throughout the supply chain.

5) No child or forced labour
We ensure that there is no child labour or forced labour in our producer groups. Frequent visits and regular audits are completed to ensure all suppliers comply.

6) No discrimination 
We do not discriminate and work to promote the principle of equal pay for equal work regardless of race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation and age. 

7) Good working conditions 
We actively work with our producers to provide safe and healthy working conditions for all employees. We offer regular first aid and health and safety training to facilitate improvement. 

8) Capacity building 
We host regular meetings and training sessions to develop the skills of our producer groups, including leadership training, employment practice, maintaining accounts and toy safety. 

9) Promoting fair trade
As a BAFTS member, we actively and honestly promote our fair trade story on our packaging and online. We work with our local community in the UK to promote fair trade. 

10) Respect for the environment
To minimise our environmental impact, we use raw materials from sustainable resources where possible and find alternative uses for waste. Solar energy is used at our UK office.