Mondelēz International’s Cocoa Life programme has the potential to contribute to a “meaningful change” in child labour in West Africa’s cocoa-growing industry, according to a study by human rights consultancy Embode.
The Mondelēz initiative had made progress despite lacking a formal child protection framework that legislates for the reporting of child labour and child slavery cases – one of eight recommendations set out by the Embode report. The company should also add a “children’s access to education” component to the Cocoa Life programme and actively utilise this as an entry-point for identifying children at risk, it said.
The Cadbury and Milka owner was commended for the scheme’s “holistic approach and direct work with cocoa communities in its supply chain”.
But in spite of Cocoa Life, it is estimated that as many as 2.2 million children are working in the cocoa industry in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire alone – and that number has risen by almost a quarter, from 1.8 million, since 2008. The figures suggest that, across the two countries, almost 40% of children in cocoa-growing areas are directly employed in the cocoa supply chain – and nearly two thirds in any industry.
The report, which was commissioned by Mondelēz itself, recognised the programme’s “potential to drive meaningful change at scale by tackling the root causes of child labour”. It also recommended that Mondelēz build on its existing approach to strengthen cocoa communities’ capacity to promote the wellbeing of children.
Cocoa Life director Cathy Pieters said: “We value Embode’s insights and plan to implement the recommendations for our Cocoa Life programme. We’ll consult with our programme partners and government authorities to strengthen existing child protection structures, improve access to education and continue to address root causes like poverty in Cocoa Life communities in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.”
Aidan McQuade, director of Anti-Slavery International, added: “Embode’s reports are a significant step forward for transparency and offer new thinking on ways to address the root causes of child labour in cocoa farming. Further engaging with other businesses through existing non-competitive platforms within the cocoa sector to address these issues will be crucial to help deliver wider impact.”
Embode’s recommendations in full:
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024