Support for Fairtrade fading as major tea grower pulls out
Tea manufacturers are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the Fairtrade Foundation as questions arise about the efficiency of the initiative. Insiders cite operational and personnel issues, as well as questions about transparency. Increasingly onerous paperwork, changing regulations and inconsistent audits are also of major concern. Finally, very little money reportedly reaches the workers and restrictive Fairtrade rules prevent them from spending it how they see fit. Given the situation, Williamson Tea, one of the first major tea manufacturers to endorse the project back in 2006, has decided to withdraw support. The company that produces 23 million kilograms of tea a year has launched its own initiative to support employees and communities in the areas of health and education.