Why the chocolate industry has an undying child slave labor dilemma?

It's the sweet sugary fix that gives everyone the feel-good factor but the reality behind the cocoa bean, chocolate’s magic ingredient, may cause us to put down our chocolate bars. Why? There are more than 200 thousand children working on West African cocoa farms, often around dangerous equipment. What’s more, some of these kids are child slaves being forced to work hard, often being whipped or beaten. Aidan McQuade, Director of Anti-Slavery International, spoke to the Voice of Russia about why such conditions still exist and what the industry really needs to do.

From the cocoa farms all the way to the stores, chocoholics around the world never get to see the truth behind cocoa's journey from site to supplier. The child “worker” is said to be forced to carry out his or her labour quickly, only being beaten if deemed disobedient. The fact is though that, from day one, they were tricked into the trade by hollow promises of lucrative rewards for simple tasks.

“We did some work a year or so ago with kids in Burkina Faso and Mali. So these were kids who had been in child slavery in Côte d'Ivoire and we were trying to find out what their experiences were and how they ended up in those situations,” explained McQuade, “And it was tragically banal, the stories that they told which were I wanted to have a bicycle, so somebody told me, go to Côte d'Ivoire to make a lot of money doing easy work." Essentially, they were then trafficked to the country. Many of the children's ambitions were similarly innocent, wanting simple things that kids in developed countries might take for granted, a radio or a new set of clothes.

In instances of trafficking, the exploitation of children extends far beyond the agricultural industry, girls in particular are coerced into the clothing and sex industries. Some initiatives have been introduced to combat the unfair treatment of youngsters. The International Cocoa Agreement was created to promote fair trade in cocoa. Since 2010, an alliance has aimed to promote fair labour, decent wages, and the promise that no children are slaves. How does it work? Farmers are guaranteed a fair price for their cocoa, as long as their produce carries the Fair Trade label which can only be attained by firm compliance with the rules. Even though its objectives are noble, the way its principles are put into practice is under question.

McQuade told the Voice of Russia; “The criticism I have of fair trade is it takes this narrow economic perspective, that if you solve some of the economic questions, everything else will fall into place. I don’t think that’s credible and I think there needs to be a much more sophisticated response, particularly in areas where you know that child labour and child slavery are major risks”.

Western African children have little opportunity to expand their knowledge; the provision of education is at best inadequate or even non existent. If the chocolate industry, along with other major sectors such as agriculture and cosmetics, really wants to make a difference to these impoverished and troubled communities, a significant commitment will be needed.

McQuade suggests two point of action. Firstly, companies need to be transparent about their child protection procedures and, if a violation is suspected, there should be an independent investigation of the issue. Secondly, educational facilities such as vocational schools need to be made available to children.

Even though Nestle is trying to tackle the issue of child labour in its supply chain, violations were reported in 2012, proving that cracks still exist in the system. Consequently, companies must be willing to participate by committing both time and resources to the communities in peril. It's not enough that just one leading cocoa company is seen to address the problem but all industry players need to work together, simultaneously to look for and implement a coordinated and unified solution.