Child Trafficking in the Cocoa Industry Continues, but There's a New Way to Take Action!

Tim Newman, Campaigns Director, International Labor Rights Forum

This week, INTERPOL issued a press release stating that they had conducted an operation in Cote d'Ivoire that led to the rescue of 50 child workers on cocoa farms and the arrest of eight adults involved in the illegal recruitment of children.  Eight years after the chocolate industry agreed to  ensure that their cocoa beans and derivative products "have been grown and/or processed without any of the worst forms of child labor," it is extremely upsetting to see that abuses like these continue in West Africa's cocoa industry.

INTERPOL described the conditions these children experienced as follows:

They were discovered working under extreme conditions, forced to carry massive loads seriously jeopardizing their health.  Aged between 11 and 16, children told investigators they would regularly work 12 hours a day and receive no salary or education. Girls were usually purchased as house maids and would work a seven-day week all year round, often in addition to their duties in the plantations.

At the end of June, there was a separate report that Ivorian police officers stopped two trucks filled with 20 children being trafficked in to Cote d'Ivoire from Burkina Faso.

These abuses are unacceptable and chocolate companies must do more to ensure that labor rights are protected in their cocoa supply chains.  These recent stories show how important it is for consumers to take action to demand more from chocolate companies and there's an exciting new campaign action you can do that is perfect for the summer.  Keep reading for more information.

ILRF is joining many other organizations across the country to saying "We Want More from our S'mores" this summer.  We've had enough of abusive child labor and trafficking in the cocoa industry.  We want justice and fairness for cocoa farmers and their families.  Part of the answer is to ensure that cocoa farmers get a fair price for their cocoa beans, so we are calling on Hershey to start purchasing Fair Trade Certified cocoa for their chocolate.  This summer, people across the country are going to make Fair Trade s'mores in addition to collecting petitions to Hershey calling on them to go Fair Trade.  You can also download Hershey campaign posters and take pictures of you and your friends with them and upload them to this Flickr group -- all the details are online here.

While we are making fair s'mores, Hershey is also sponsoring their own, separate National S'mores Day on August 10th.  As part of the event, Hershey is encouraging people to send in photos of themselves making s'mores as part of a contest.  We encourage people concerned about child labor and trafficking to take photos of themselves with our Hershey campaign posters and enter them in Hershey's contest so that we can send the message directly to them.  Go here to send your photo directly to Hershey.  August 10th is a GREAT time to participate in our s'mores action and let Hershey know that "we want more from our s'mores!"

Comments

[Company Registration Philippines]

Thanks for sharing.It's a good news that there are groups working to fight child trafficking. So let us support those groups!

[Philippines Business Registration]

Well done post. It's nice to know that there are still people who are concern with children who are victims of trafficking.

[Jess =)]

great work, much need for my school work! well done and thanks again!

[Air Jordans]

It's so lucky for me to find your blog! I am very glad, and welcome you visit mine.

[Tim]

Thanks for your comment, Kyle! It is important that consumers have the choice of supporting companies with strong ethical cocoa sourcing policies. Supporting these companies helps to shift the industry in a better direction.

I appreciate what Endangered Species Chocolate is doing, but in the absence of Fair Trade certification, consumers are left without an independent, third-party verification system and have to just take your word that your cocoa is ethically traded. This is problematic for consumers and it also raises questions about how cocoa farmers are able to lodge complaints about the implementation of Endangered Species' standards and communicate with consumers. I know that Endangered Species Chocolate is doing some great things, but the lack of a public verification system is troubling.

[Endangered Species Chocolate]

Hey, great article. Child labor and child slavery are very real problems that need to be addressed by everyone, not just the cocoa industry. And, if I recall correctly, Hershey's is a pretty major player in the cocoa industry if they want to play that card. As consumers, you have to remember that you have a vote with every dollar you spend, and we must, must make the right choice. There are tons of fair and ethically traded chocolates out there--something for everyone's taste. We here at Endangered Species Chocolate have over 20 different chocolate bar flavors. We are also ethically traded, which means we do more than simply pay a fair market price for our cocoa, we are actively involved in improving the living conditions for our farmers, their families, and the villages in which they live. We do this by installing water pumps and filtrations systems, as well as donating school and medical supplies. In addition to our ethical trade policy, we also donate 10% of out annual net profits to charities that support habitat, humanity and species. This year we have teamed up with the African Wildlife Federation and the Ocean Conservancy. For more information about our company, our mission or our premium chocolate products, visit us at www.chocolatebar.com or email us at community@chocolatebar.com. As always...Savor Chocolate. Save Our Planet.

Kyle
Endangered Species Chocolate

[labor lawyer philippines]

Informative article. I hope this awaken the government to imply laws against child trafficking.