For more than a decade, leading participants in the world’s chocolate and cocoa industry have supported a global effort to improve the lives of millions of adults and children in cocoa communities.
Our belief is that no child should ever be harmed in the growing or harvesting of cocoa. Towards this end, the industry has undertaken extensive efforts to bring about positive and sustainable change to the way cocoa is grown and harvested in West Africa. This includes:
- Investment: the industry has spent more than US$75 million on education, farmer training, agricultural improvement programs, health programs and more.
- National Plans of Action: working with Governments in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana to develop programs to improve social programs in cocoa growing communities.
- The creation of independent nongovernmental organizations to bring about sustainable change to the way cocoa is grown. These include:
- The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI)
- The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF)
- Public Certification: development of a public certification process as part of the Harkin-Engel Protocol, established in 2001 to work towards ending the worst forms of child labor (WFCL).
- Partnerships with Governments and non-governmental organizations.
- Regional Trade Associations and their memberships
The Harkin-Engel Protocol has been an important catalyst for change in labor practices in the cocoa sector of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, although we recognize there is still more to be done. Our commitment is for the long term. Working in partnership the U.S. government and the governments of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, we are committed to playing our role in implementing the principles established by the Harkin-Engel Protocol. Building on the lessons learned over the past decade, the Framework of Action represents a new partnership with a common purpose and clear goal of bringing about an aggregate 70 percent reduction in the worst forms of child labor in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana by 2020.
Our Commitment
The chocolate and cocoa industry has made a substantial contribution to these issues and is unwavering in its commitment moving forward.
For the companies that use cocoa, the way forward is clear: help the cocoa farming family and cocoa communities thrive. For any industry to succeed, all those who participate in its supply chain must contribute effectively and be rewarded fairly. No industry can afford to ignore issues associated with one of its most important ingredients.
A Complex Issue
The cocoa farming supply chain is highly fragmented and complex. In West Africa, cocoa is grown on small family farms of 3-4 hectares in size.
In Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana there are over 1.5 million cocoa farming families living in some of the most remote parts of these countries who depend on cocoa for their livelihood.
Unacceptable labor practices on cocoa farms are a recognized issue, with too many children participating in hazardous farming tasks such as children carrying heavy loads, being exposed to pesticide use and sustaining machete cuts on their family’s farms or working at the expense of attending school. Child Labor is a complex phenomenon that finds its root causes in poverty and limited access to education. Ending the worst forms of child labor (WFCL) begins with changing traditional farming methods which have been practiced for more than a hundred years. Changing traditional farming methods and bringing about real and lasting change to cocoa farming communities takes time, not just resources.
Collaboration is Key
Coordination of remediation activities from a variety of industry, government, NGO and civil society organizations will be vital to the success of the effort. Equally vital will be the technical assistance to build capacity within producer governments to address and mitigate trafficking.
This effort takes many forms – programs, partnerships, foundations – and reflects an ongoing commitment to address the issues affecting cocoa farming communities.
It is a commitment by the industry that supports the Joint Declaration and Framework of Action in support of the implementation of the Harkin-Engel Protocol and, it is driving real and positive change today. Farmer incomes are up. Educational opportunities are improving. Fewer children are being exposed to unsafe farming tasks. Governments, civil society organizations (CSOs) and the global chocolate industry are working together – and making a difference.
Without question, there is much work to do. Yet we are realizing the vision of a cocoa farming economy that benefits farmers, families and communities alike.
