Trade and Business - Anglais - MCO 2

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Définitions à apprendre

Vocabulaire à apprendre + vocabulaire word cloud à apprendre

COURS  :

To begin with let’s define what is meant by fairtrade : Fairtrade is a system of certification that aims to ensure a set of standards^[1] are met in the production and supply^[2] of a product or ingredient. For farmers and workers, Fairtrade means workers’ rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay. For shoppers it means high quality, ethically produced products. So, ostensibly, there is a win-win situation^[3]. Fairtrade's approach enables^[4] farmers and workers to have more control over their lives and decide how to invest in their future. Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development^[5] by offering better trading conditions to  marginalized producers and workers by securing their rights. Fair Trade organizations have a clear commitment^[6] to Fair Trade as the principal core^[7] of their mission. They, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. To sum it up in a few sentences, Fair Trade is a global movement of consumers, producers, businesses, and certifiers who consider people and the planet first. They all work together to make sure that they are focusing on treating resources as limited and creating products that benefit the producers who make them and the land that grows them. Fair Trade developed out of a response to the negative results of unfair trade practices and the widening divide^[8] between

the global North and South. Since its inception^[9], the Fair Trade movement has been growing at an exponential rate as more consumers realize that while many  benefits   from   open   markets

subsidized^[10] commodity items^[11], and products that are mass-produced^[12] many farmers, artisans, and children are losing their livelihoods^[13],  freedoms and   in   the   worst cases, human    rights.

To be Fair Trade certified, a product must be produced by a farmer, cooperative, or workers that meets certain standards set by the Fair Trade labeling body^[14]. Currently, there are over 11 certifiers internationally, each with its own standards. These standards vary slightly but basically require that :

• Workers receive a Fair Trade minimum wage
• Environmental sustainability is upheld^[15]
• Safe working conditions are provided
• There is no forced or child labor
• Premiums^[16] are given to producers based on the product they create
• These premiums go to a communal fund to be used for development projects
• The supply chain is transparent to consumers

Now, let’s deal with business ethics : Ethics is a subject of social science that is related with moral principles and social values. « Business Ethics » can be termed as a study of proper business policies and practices regarding potentially controversial issues, such as corporate governance^[17], insider trading^[18], bribery, discrimination, corporate social responsibility, and fiduciary responsibilities. Businesses must abide^[19] by some basic principles. It should provide quality goods and services at reasonable prices to their consumers. It must also avoid adulteration^[20], misleading advertisements, and other unfair malpractices^[21]. A business must also perform other duties such as distributing fair wages, providing good working conditions, not exploiting the workers, encouraging competition. There are many definitions of business ethics, but the ones given by Andrew Crane and Raymond C. Baumhart are considered the most appropriate ones. According to Crane, « Business ethics is the study of business situations, activities, and decisions where issues of right and wrong are addressed. » Baumhart defines « the ethics of business (as) the ethics of responsibility. The business man must promise that he will not harm knowingly.^[22] 

There are eight major features of business ethics :

• Code of Conduct: Business ethics is actually a form of codes of conduct. It lets us know what to do and what not to do. Businesses must follow this code of conduct.
•  Based on Moral and Social Values : Business ethics is a subject that is based on moral and social values. It offers some moral and social principles (rules) for conducting a business.
•  Protection to Social Groups : Business ethics protect various social groups including consumers, employees, small businesspersons^[23], government, shareholders^[24], creditors^[25]…
• Offers a Basic Framework: Business ethics is the basic framework^[26] for doing business properly. It constructs the social, cultural, legal, economic, and other limits in which a business must operate.
•  Voluntary : Business ethics is meant to be voluntary. It should be self-practiced and must not be enforced by law.
•  Requires Education & Guidance : Businessmen should get proper education and guidance^[27] about business ethics. Trade Associations^[28] and Chambers of Commerce should be active enough in this matter.
• Relative Term : Business ethics is a relative term. It changes from one business to another and from one country to another.
• New Concept : Business ethics is a relatively newer^[29] concept. Developed countries have more exposure to business ethics, while poor and developing countries are relatively backward^[30] in applying the principles of business ethics.

The principles of business ethics are related to social groups that comprise of consumers, employees, investors, and the local community. The important rules or principles of business ethics are as follows :

• Avoid Exploitation of Consumers : Do not cheat and exploit consumer with measures such as artificial price rise and adulteration.
• Avoid Profiteering : Unscrupulous business activities such as hoarding^[31], black-marketing, selling banned or harmful goods to earn exorbitant profits must be avoided.

• Encourage Healthy Competition: A healthy competitive atmosphere that offers certain benefits to the consumers must be encouraged.
•  Ensure Accuracy : Accuracy^[32] in weighing, packaging and quality of supplying goods to the consumers has to be followed.
• Pay Taxes Regularly : Taxes and other duties to the government must be honestly and regularly paid.
• Fair Treatment to Employees : Fair wages or salaries, facilities and incentives must be provided to the employees.
• Keep the Investors Informed :  The shareholders and investors must know about the financial and other important decisions of the company.
• Avoid Injustice and Discrimination : Avoid all types of injustice and partiality to employees. Discrimination based on gender, race, religion, language, nationality, etc. should be avoided.
• No Bribe^[33] and Corruption : Do not give expensive gifts, commissions and payoffs^[34] to people having influence.

Discourage Secret Agreement : Making secret agreements^[35] with other business people to influence production, distribution, pricing  are unethical.

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I / SOUNDS AT WORK : RECONNAÎTRE LES DIX MOTS ET LES TRADUIRE  :

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