Premium Committee
Since 2005 our Joint Body – now Fairtrade Premium Committee have collectively managed the Fairtrade projects and the allocation of premium income received. The committee is made up of 34 farm workers representing 22 farms.
There has always been a representative from the Du Toitskloof Wines Management present at every Premium Committee meeting as well as a Financial Advisor. Risk analyses and in-depth discussions about the premium income and expenses are performed, budgets are set up and are based on financial information supplied by the Du Toitskloof Wines Management. Further feedback with regards to all the inner-dealings of the Premium Committees is communicated to Workers Committees on all production levels. To top the transparency scale, external auditors perform yearly audits on all of the project’s financial statements.
The Premium Committee is also responsible for promoting Fairtrade Awareness and underwent effective training in 2017. The training enables each member to share our Fairtrade Initiative with locals in their communities as well as those who stretch beyond the boundaries of their farms.
The Du Toitskloof Fairtrade Initiative regularly hosts premium committees from other organizations that call on them for advice, help and guidance.
The Premium Committee continually strives to implement the Fairtrade Premium Development Plan and this is seen through more than a decade’s commitment to economic development, financial training and 25% shares payout of yearly dividends. Environmental development is also a strong focus with regular environmental training and workshops like efficient waste management, renewable energy sourcing and reclamation programmes on all production sites.