cocoa and chocolate

Take action on forced labour in the cocoa industry

The issue of forced labour in the production of chocolate hit the headlines in 2000 and 2001. Several years on, we look at the situation now, and ask you to take action to ensure progress that has been made is translated into real improvements in the lives of those being exploited.

Read background information on what we know, what has been done, and what more needs to happen to rid the cocoa industry of forced labour and trafficking.

What can I do?

• Contact the major chocolate companies (see sample letter below)
  
  
• Support fair trade. Buy fairly traded products. See http:/www.fairtrade.net to find out more. If your local retailer does not stock fair trade products, write and ask them to!
  
  
• Read the information on our site and research the issues. Check out our child labour pages and also see our links page for other relevant organisations.
  
  
• If you have already had a reply from one of the chocolate companies, you can find out further information on how to respond to them by emailing Kate Willingham at k.willingham@antislavery.org

sample letter

Subject - Take Action on Cocoa and Chocolate

I am writing to you about the use of forced and illegal child labour in the cocoa industry. I very much welcome the steps you have taken so far on this issue. I hope that these initiatives will be translated into real change on the ground.

I also note that Anti-Slavery International informs me that as a result of the letters we wrote earlier this year the information requested on the industry survey of child labour conditions on the cocoa farms of West Africa has now been published in full and I would like to thank you for this.

However, I would also urge you to:

1. Ensure that policies being developed to end the use of illegal child labour on farms supplying your cocoa also cover the use of forced labour of adults. Such policies must be actively monitored and enforced and the details publicised.
2. Ensure recommendations for action are developed in close co-operation with local governments in the countries concerned, relevant international agencies and local NGOs and trade unions. This will ensure that changes made are integrated within broader initiatives on trafficking, illegal child labour and forced labour and policies to ensure the full rehabilitation and reintegration of those exploited.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,

Contact the four major chocolate companies

Please copy and paste the above text and ontact:


Email Nestlé UK or write or fax to them at:
Public Affairs
Nestlé S.A.Centre
Avenue Nestlé 55
Case postale 353
CH-1800 Vevey
Switzerland
Fax: +41 21 921 18 85
Or email directly from their site


Email Mars or write to them at:
Consumer Affairs
Mars Inc.
800 High Street
Hackettstown
NJ 07840
United States


Write to or fax Cadbury Schweppes at:
Consumer Relations Department UK
Cadbury Trebor Bassett
PO Box 12
Bournville
Birmingham
B30 2LU
United Kingdom
Fax: +44 (0) 121 451 4192
Or email direct from their site
Or see international contact details


Write to or telephone Hershey at:
Hershey Foods Corporation
Consumer Relations
100 Crystal A Drive
Hershey
PA 17033-0815
United States
Tel: + 1 800 468 1714
Or email direct from their site


Thank you for your help

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