Poinsettia . Kerstster . Stella di Natale . Weihnachtsstern . " No matter how you say it , this beloved plant embodies the spirit of the Christmas season . One Fairtrade - attest efflorescence farm is rallying its collaborator across Europe to ready aside local market difference and unite in a foreign mission : to guarantee living reward for the hardworking hands that bring up these festive bloom of youth . "
Olav Boenders , the CEO of Wagagai - a Fairtrade - certified flower - cutting farm in Uganda - has a dear supplication for partner company : invest just 0.5 Eurocent for every Mexican flameleaf cutting off purchased into the Fairtrade Cents Bonus Fund . This little share can help dismantle the wheel of poverty cause by misfortunate wages and could be an example for other works cuttings to succeed at a later stage , state the Fairtrade International .
Since 2017 , Wagagai has been on a journey with Selecta One , a German breeding ship’s company that took the tone of increasing its Fairtrade Premium payment to 5 euro cents per Christmas flower press clipping . This approach seeks to see to it that 0.5 euro centime outride with the Fairtrade Premium Committee for biotic community - selected projects like education and health care , while the remaining 4.5 cent like a shot patronise the Fairtrade Cents Bonus Fund , providing financial relief to workers in the down in the mouth wage bracket .
grant to Fairtrade International , in 2023 alone , Wagagai sold 1.6 million Fairtrade Christmas star clipping , which bring forth € 73,173 for the Fairtrade Cents Bonus Fund . This allow the 1,551 workers in the company ’s grim wage categories to receive a bonus that amount to nearly an entire extra calendar month ’s earnings . To particular date , the total distributed from this initiative has reached € 392,799 , they add .
" For me , this is cleared evidence that we can make literal change with just a few cents on a humble volume of cuttings . We can strive for living remuneration without burdening consumers with higher price , but it requires a real dedication and a desire for action — not just words , " say Boenders .
Adding to this sentiment , the CEO of Selecta One , Per Klemm , pronounce , " Our commitment to Fairtrade and the Cents Bonus Fund is about more than just clientele ; it ’s about uplift community and secure that every worker can thrive . Only together , we can sow in the seeds of change . "
" The winner of this project hinges on volume . " Boenders highlighted that Wagagai sells around 55 million poinsettia slip annually and close to 500 million cuttings in sum . " The impact would be rotatory if all the society ’s importing spouse contributed just 0.5 cents per cutting — this would amount to € 2.5 million dedicate to living incomes and beyond . "
The Fairtrade Cents Bonus Fund is governed by representatives from the local trade union , the Fairtrade Premium Committee , Fairtrade Africa , Selecta One , and Wagagai . All fiscal transactions are audit by Fairtrade ’s independent certifier , FLOCERT .
While the poinsettia — with its vibrant red and soft ashen or beige hue — has become a raw material of westerly Christmas traditions . Fairtrade International emphasizes that it ’s significant to remember that these plants set out their journey in Africa . " cultivate with care on consecrate farm , they are sold to importer of cuttings , eventually unfold into full plants across Europe before reaching the hands of eager consumer . "
Joseph Balondemu , the human resources director at Wagagai , share the impact of the Fairtrade Cents Bonus Fund on the aliveness of employee . " Many have used the cash in hand to pay for their children ’s school fees or even invest in savings schemes . When workers garner a living wage , they are happier and more motivated , " he noted .
For more information : Fairtrade Internationalfairtrade.net
