Can we Eliminate Child Labour in Cocoa Growing?
In 2001, the chocolate industry made a bold promise: to eliminate child labour from cocoa farming through self-regulation. This commitment was formalised in the Harkin-Engel Protocol, a voluntary agreement between major chocolate companies to address the worst forms of child labour in their supply chains. After missing several targets, the final goal was clear: by 2020, the industry would ensure that children no longer had to work on cocoa farms under dangerous and exploitative conditions. Yet, as we approach the end of 2024, this promise remains largely unfulfilled.
Despite more than two decades of effort, millions of children are still trapped in child labour in cocoa-growing regions, particularly in West Africa, where over 1.5 million children are involved in cocoa farming. The reality is that self-regulation has not been enough to eradicate this widespread issue. So, the question remains: can we truly eliminate child labour in cocoa growing, or are we destined to see more empty promises?
The Trick of Halloween
The Broken Promise of Self-Regulation
In 2001, the world hoped that by trusting chocolate companies to regulate themselves, child labour in the cocoa industry would be a thing of the past. But the figures tell a different story. Despite significant investments in corporate social responsibility programs and sustainability initiatives, child labour persists on a massive scale. In Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, which together produce more than 60% of the world’s cocoa, 1.56 million or over 1.5 million of children still work on cocoa farms, often performing hazardous tasks like using machetes and handling pesticides.
Why hasn’t self-regulation worked? One of the major issues is the lack of real accountability within the industry. Many chocolate companies have publicly committed to tackling child labour, but these promises often come without clear, enforceable mechanisms to ensure they are fulfilled. The systems in place for monitoring and verifying progress are inconsistent and, in many cases, rely on the companies themselves to report their own data. This creates a lack of transparency, making it difficult to gauge whether meaningful steps are being taken or if these commitments are more about public relations than real change.
Furthermore, companies often operate in complex supply chains that involve multiple layers of intermediaries, making it harder to track and verify conditions on the ground. Without third-party oversight or binding regulations, these self-reported measures can fall short, allowing child labour to persist.
The enormous demand for cheap cocoa also plays a significant role in why self-regulation has not been effective. Cocoa is a global commodity, and the pressure to keep costs low often results in the exploitation of labour, particularly in West Africa, where the majority of the world’s cocoa is produced. Farmers are paid so little for their cocoa that they can’t afford to hire adult workers and are forced to rely on their children to help. Even with the recent increases in the price of cocoa, because farmgate prices are centrally established, the increase does not make it to the farmers. Companies, driven by the need to maximise profits and meet consumer demand for affordable chocolate, often turn a blind eye to these practices.
Without robust regulation and financial incentives that prioritise living incomes and better working conditions, companies remain incentivised to keep costs down, even if that means maintaining the status quo of child labour in their supply chains. The self-regulation model, in its current form, lacks the teeth needed to compel real, industry-wide change.
The Treat of Halloween
A Future Free of Child Labour
Imagine a world where every child in cocoa-growing communities has the opportunity to go to school, play, and enjoy a childhood free from dangerous work. In this future, families no longer have to rely on the labour of their children to make ends meet, and cocoa farmers are paid a living income that allows them to provide for their families without resorting to child labour. A living income is the net annual income required for a household in a particular place to afford a decent standard of living for all members of that household (Living Income Community of Practice 2020).
Achieving this vision will require a sustained commitment from companies, governments, and consumers alike. Chocolate companies need to go beyond public pledges and take real action to eliminate child labour from their supply chains. This means ensuring that farmers are paid decently, investing in sustainable farming practices, and actively monitoring and remediating cases of child labour.
There are success stories to look to for inspiration. Some companies have made meaningful progress by investing in long-term relationships with farmers and communities, providing training and support to help them adopt more sustainable practices. These companies show that it’s possible to produce chocolate without exploiting children—turning responsible cocoa production into a reality.
Take Action with the Chocolate Scorecard
So, what can we do to help eliminate child labour from cocoa farming? One of the most powerful tools at our disposal is the Chocolate Scorecard. This resource ranks chocolate companies based on their efforts to end child labour, ensure living incomes for farmers, and support sustainable farming. By using the Chocolate Scorecard, consumers can make informed choices and support the companies that are taking real steps to address these critical issues.
This Halloween, when you’re buying chocolate treats, take a moment to check the Chocolate Scorecard. Choose to support brands that are working to create a better future for cocoa farmers and their children. By making conscious choices, you can help drive change in the industry, supporting companies that prioritise better practices and actively work to eliminate child labour from their supply chains.