Child Welfare Advocates File Lawsuit to Block Imports of Cocoa Harvested by Children in West Africa
In this April, 2020 image provided by International Rights Advocates, children from Burkina Faso are seen resting while working on a cocoa plantation in Ivory Coast in Daloa. Child welfare advocates are suing the Biden administration for failing to block imports of cocoa picked by children in West Africa bound for America’s most popular chocolate bars. (Terrence Collingsworth/International Rights Advocates via AP)
Introduction
Child welfare advocates have filed a federal lawsuit, urging the Biden administration to take action and prevent the importation of cocoa harvested by children in West Africa. This cocoa is often used in popular chocolate desserts and sweets consumed in the United States.
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed by International Rights Advocates, seeks to enforce a 1930s era federal law that mandates the government to prohibit the entry of products made using child labor into the US.
Evidence of Child Labor in Cocoa Production
International Rights Advocates claims that Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security have disregarded substantial evidence documenting the involvement of children in cocoa cultivation for well-known American candy manufacturers, including Hershey, Mars, Nestle, and Cargill.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Commitments by Chocolate Companies
Major chocolate companies had previously pledged to eliminate child labor from their cocoa supply chains by 2005. However, they now claim that they will eradicate the worst forms of child labor by 2025.
Terry Collingsworth, the executive director of International Rights Advocates, stated that these companies will only take action if compelled to do so. He emphasized that the US government possesses the authority to end the exploitation of African children by enforcing existing laws.
Government Response
Customs and Border Protection declined to comment on the lawsuit. When questioned about cocoa produced using child labor in general, the agency stated that it is unable to disclose additional information due to legal restrictions.
Child Labor in West Africa’s Cocoa Industry
The use of child labor in cocoa cultivation in countries like Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Ghana is not a recent issue. Over the past two decades, human rights organizations, academics, news outlets, and even government agencies have exposed the exploitation of children working on cocoa plantations in these West African nations, which account for approximately 70% of the world’s cocoa supply.
Extent of Child Labor
A 2019 study commissioned by the US government and conducted by the University of Chicago revealed that 790,000 children, some as young as five years old, were involved in cocoa production on Ivory Coast plantations. Similar conditions were found in neighboring Ghana.
Recognition of the Problem
The US government has long acknowledged that child labor is a significant issue in the Ivory Coast. The Department of Labor’s 2021 report stated that children in Côte d’Ivoire are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including cocoa and coffee harvesting.
According to a recent report by the State Department, agriculture companies in the Ivory Coast rely on child labor to produce various products, including cocoa. The report also highlighted the exploitation of Ivorian and West African boys, particularly from Burkina Faso, in forced labor within the cocoa industry.
Legal Actions Against Chocolate Companies
International Rights Advocates has filed lawsuits against major chocolate companies over their use of child labor in cocoa production. While a case was lost before the Supreme Court in 2021, several others are still pending.
Unmet Commitments
Despite pressure from lawmakers and advocates, major chocolate manufacturers have failed to fulfill their commitment to stop purchasing cocoa produced using child labor. Former Senator Tom Harkin, who led efforts to reform the industry, stated that these companies have used excuses such as the inability to trace the origin of cocoa, but the real reason is their unwillingness to bear the associated costs.
Conclusion
It is important for consumers to recognize that the treats they enjoy may be linked to child abuse. By enforcing existing laws and holding companies accountable, progress can be made towards eradicating child labor in the cocoa industry and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (in accordance with the International Labor Organization’s methodology to measure child labor).
-
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
- Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18.
Analysis
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses the use of child labor in cocoa harvesting in West Africa, specifically in countries like the Ivory Coast. This violates Target 8.7 of SDG 8, which aims to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The article mentions that children as young as five are working on cocoa plantations, indicating the presence of child labor. This aligns with Indicator 8.7.1, which measures the proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article highlights the abuse and exploitation of children in cocoa production, which is a violation of Target 16.2 of SDG 16. This target aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The article mentions that children in the Ivory Coast are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in the harvesting of cocoa. This aligns with Indicator 16.2.3, which measures the proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (in accordance with the International Labor Organization’s methodology to measure child labor). |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18. |
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Source: jamaicaobserver.com
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