Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational corporations (MNCs) have all played a role in addressing human rights problems around the world. Some of these actors have been more successful than others, and there have been both successes and failures in their efforts.
In this paper, I will explore and analyze the impact of an IGO, NGO, and MNC on a specific human rights problem: the use of child labor in the cocoa industry in West Africa.
Background of human rights issue
Child labor is a serious human rights problem that affects millions of children around the world. It is estimated that over 150 million children are engaged in child labor, and many of them are working in hazardous or exploitative conditions.
Child labor is particularly prevalent in the cocoa industry in West Africa. Over 1.5 million children are estimated to be working in the cocoa industry in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, two of the world’s largest cocoa producers. These children often work long hours in dangerous conditions, and they may be exposed to pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
Background of the actor(s) and actions taken
Intergovernmental organization (IGO)
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is dedicated to promoting social justice and human rights at work. The ILO has played a leading role in addressing the problem of child labor in the cocoa industry.
In 2001, the ILO adopted the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, which prohibits the use of children in hazardous or exploitative forms of labor. The ILO has also worked with governments, industry stakeholders, and civil society organizations to develop and implement action plans to address child labor in the cocoa industry.
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) is a non-profit organization that works to ensure that children are not exploited in the cocoa industry. The ICI has developed a cocoa sustainability program that includes standards to prevent child labor. The ICI works with cocoa farmers and processors to help them implement the standards and to monitor their progress.
Multinational corporation (MNC)
Nestlé is a Swiss multinational food and drink company that is one of the world’s largest buyers of cocoa. Nestlé has been a member of the ICI since 2002 and has committed to implementing the ICI’s cocoa sustainability program. Nestlé has also worked with other chocolate companies to develop the Cocoa Action initiative, which is a partnership between the chocolate industry and civil society organizations to address child labor and other sustainability issues in the cocoa industry.
Event, incident, and outcome
In 2010, the ICI conducted a survey of cocoa farms in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. The survey found that over 2.1 million children were working in the cocoa industry in the two countries. The survey also found that many of the children were working in dangerous conditions and were exposed to pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
The ICI’s survey was a wake-up call for the chocolate industry. It led to increased attention to the problem of child labor in the cocoa industry and to a commitment from the industry to take action to address the problem.
Since 2010, the chocolate industry has made some progress in addressing child labor in the cocoa industry. However, the problem remains a serious one. In 2019, the ICI reported that over 1.5 million children were still working in the cocoa industry in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Analysis and evaluation
The ILO, the ICI, and Nestlé have all taken steps to address the problem of child labor in the cocoa industry. However, there is still more that can be done.
The ILO has played a leading role in developing international standards and guidelines to address child labor. The ILO has also worked with governments and other stakeholders to implement these standards and guidelines. However, the ILO has limited enforcement powers.
The ICI has developed a cocoa sustainability program that includes standards to prevent child labor. The ICI works with cocoa farmers and processors to help them implement the standards and to monitor their progress. However, the ICI’s program is voluntary, and not all cocoa farmers and processors participate in the program.
Nestlé is one of the world’s largest buyers of cocoa, and it has committed to implementing the ICI’s cocoa sustainability program. However, Nestlé has been criticized for not doing enough to address child labor in its supply chain.
Cooperation between actors
The ILO, the ICI, and Nestlé are all working together to address child labor in the cocoa industry. For example, the ILO and the ICI are working to develop a common monitoring and evaluation framework for child labor programs in the cocoa industry. Nestlé is also working with the ICI to implement the ICI’s cocoa sustainability program.
