Rep. Eliot Engel speaks at MC

This was the four-minute presentation shown before Rep. Eliot Engel spoke.

An introduction to the topic, including the ILO Convention defining the Worst Forms of Child Labor, the history of the Harkin-Engel Protocol, the status of eradicating child labor in cocoa production, and what major companies are doing to rid their supply chains of child and forced labor.

An overview, prepared in 2009 by Tulane University.

The text of the Protocol with signatures

On February 14, 2005, realizing that the July 2005 deadlines of the H-E Protocol were not going to be met, Rep. Eliot Engel released a statement.  He ends by stating, “I am calling on the chocolate industry to do the right thing and meet their commitments under the Harkin-Engel protocol to end the use of child slave labor. If they do not, legislation might be needed to end this evil practice once and for all.”   This three year extension of the Protocol was the result.

While major progress was being made, the 2008 deadline had not been met.  Further, a longer term committment was necessary, and this extension promised "a sectorwide independently verified certification process fully in place across each country’s cocoa-growing sector by the end of 2010."

The Payson Center's reports state that much more needed to be done, although representatives of the Chocolate industry disagree with the independent verification.  This 2010 Joint Declaration and Framework of Action is the most recent of the Harkin-Engel Protocol Extensions.

The Child Labor Cocoa Coordinating Group was formed from the 2010 Joint Declaration and Framework of Action.  This group is made up of representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Government of Cote d’Ivoire, the Government of Ghana, the International Chocolate and Cocoa Industry, Senator Tom Harkin, and Representative Eliot Engel.

Response of Chocolate Industry to the Tulane Report

Tulane University, 2007

2008 Report

2009 Report

This briefing offers an overview of the industry, explores why Fairtrade is needed, and describes what it can achieve. We hope that this will provide a useful resource for all those involved with, or interested in, Fairtrade, whether from a commercial, campaigning or academic perspective.

Danish journalist Miki Mistrati visits Mali and the Ivory Coast to investigate the use of child and slave labor in cocoa production.  Produced in 2010, this 46 minute documentary mentions the Harkin-Engel Protocol and the industry's unwillingness to prevent child and slave labor in their supply chain.  

(Lois Harr has a copy of the DVD, but this website has the video in two parts.)

A Campaign lead by Global Exchange, Green America, the International Labor Rights Forum and Oasis USA to get Hershey to offer chocolate bars produced with 100% certified cocoa (either Fairtrade certified, or another independent certification that meets the Fairtrade standards, at a minimum).  

These talking points, from June 2012, were written by the United Methodist Women after Hershey made a large announcement about going "100% certified" earlier in the year.   It gives a great overview of slavery in cocoa, the Protocol and ensuing actions, and asks specific questions about Hershey's most recent declaration.  Most believe that Hershey has not gone far enough, and these talking points are very specific about how far they need to go.

Ghana's Kuapa Kokoo Cooperative is one of the first to be Fairtrade Certified.  The cooperative is also part-owner of Divine Chocolate, a 100% Fairtrade Chocolate company. 

This document clearly outlines what the cooperative is doing to fight against child labor.

This website gives and overview, as well as a link to the full report of Nestle's actions to improve sustainability and eliminate child labor in it's cocoa supply from Cote d'Ivoire.  Working with the Fair Labor Association to assess and monitor the conditions, they also met with local stakeholders to discuss their plan of action.

The CRS Fair Trade website has information, blogs, short videos, Catholic Social teaching and much more.