The industry has made it clear that, regardless of the extent of the problem, the worst forms of child labor are not acceptable, and is working on several fronts to address the issue. The Harkin-Engel Protocol (can be downloaded from box on the right), crafted with the guidance of Senator Tom Harkin and U.S. Representative Elliot Engel and announced in 2001, provides the foundation for work by industry and leading civil society members, including the International Labor Organization (ILO), to ensure that responsible labor practices are the norm on cocoa farms.
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Responsible cocoa growing
Responsible cocoa growing
In 2000, reports were published alleging the use of slavery and forced child labor on cocoa plantations, especially in Ivory Coast. We strongly condemn slavery and abusive child labor practices, and we have been working closely with other companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), West African governments, and international organizations to respond to these grave issues and to develop both short-term remedial plans as well as a long-term solution.
A 2002 independent survey by the IITA showed that the majority of West African cocoa farmers grow cocoa responsibly. The survey, however, highlighted challenges that must be addressed – for example, children working on family farms instead of attending school, carrying heavy loads and participating in farming practices such as pesticide application.
The most significant long-term program supported by industry to address this issue is the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), a joint foundation established in partnership between industry and civil society. The ICI pursues an integrated approach that recognizes the need for leadership by host country governments, combined with effective institutions and concrete efforts at the community level to drive change.
Through the ICI’s work with local partners, communities in Ghana and the Ivory Coast are taking action to prevent children from excessive and/or dangerous work on farms; ensure schools are available and attractive to children, and addressing the underlying causes that may lead to unacceptable labor practices. For cases of children who may have been trafficked to work on cocoa farms, the ICI has established local partnerships to ensure that these children are identified, rescued and rehabilitated.
The Farmer Field School program is also helping raise awareness of responsible labor practices. In Ghana, for example, the schools focus on the dangers of children participating in age-inappropriate tasks such as carrying heavy loads, pesticide application and field clearing using machetes.
A random sampling of participating farmers, conducted by the STCP, found a significant reduction in children’s exposure to hazardous tasks, vs. non-participating farmers. Overall, more than 1,200 children are estimated to be no longer engaged in these hazardous practices as a result of the Farmer Field School program.
Tracking improvements in labor practices is a key component of a “certification” program for cocoa farming, currently being refined and expanded in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Certification, as called for in the Harkin-Engel Protocol, will provide not only a clear view of actual cocoa farming labor practices, but will measure progress in addressing farm community economic and social issues.
Industry representatives are working closely with the leadership of producing country governments, international social development institutions and local experts to design and roll out the cocoa certification program, with a goal of covering 50% of the cocoa sector in Ghana and the Ivory Coast by mid-2008.
Much work remains to be done, yet solid foundations for building a better future for the millions of West Africans who live on cocoa farms are in place.
To learn more about the work our industry is carrying out please visit:
www.worldcocoafoundation.org
www.cacao.ci
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