Nestlé publishes new 'Tackling Child Labor' report, citing progress in efforts to reduce the issue in cocoa communities
On 10 December 2019, Nestlé released its latest 'Tackling Child Labor' report, citing significant progress in its effort to tackle child labour in its West African supply chain. Building on this, Nestlé also said it "will continue to expand its cocoa sustainability program [...], roll out its Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation System... [and] continue to work with governments, industry peers and other partners..." The full report is available below, along with media coverage of the report.
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Nestle invests $45 mln a year in cocoa sustainability
Author: Maytaal Angel, Reuters
Nestlé is spending 45 million Swiss francs ($45.13 million) a year on efforts to source cocoa sustainably, the food company said, also citing progress in reducing child labour in its West African supply chain.
The company [...] said it aimed to have 100% sustainable cocoa sourcing in its confectionary products by 2025.
Nestle’s child labour monitoring and remediation system (CLMRS), a part of its sustainably sourcing scheme, currently covers just 15% of the cocoa it sources in West Africa, where child labour is prevalent.
Coverage under the CLMRS does not mean the elimination of child labour, but means that the issue is being addressed or remedied.
“We’re proud Nestle has made this commitment but (its) a daunting challenge to go from 15% to 100% in five years,” said Nick Weatherill, executive director of the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI)...
Chocolate makers like Nestle, Mars Wrigley, Mondelez , Barry Callebaut and Hershey’s are all ramping up their sustainability schemes in a bid to meet consumer demands for ethically sourced products.
But the schemes, which certify cocoa ingredients as ethically sourced, have so far had little success in tackling the widespread child labour and deforestation in West Africa that has become a blight on chocolate’s image worldwide.
Nestlé reports progress in tackling 'varied and complex' causes of child labour in cocoa farming
Author: IEG Policy Agribusiness
The company reports on the progress and expansion of its’ “Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation System” and advocates EU legislation that would make companies liable for the human rights breaches of their suppliers and subcontractors...
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Nestlé scales up action against child labor and expands cocoa sustainability program
Author: Nestlé
Nestlé has today reported significant progress in its efforts to tackle the issue of child labor in the cocoa communities of West Africa. Its latest 'Tackling Child Labor' report shows that it is possible to have a positive impact at scale...
[I]ts Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation System [...] allows Nestlé to identify, track and address child labor in its supply chains. Assistance is provided through community-wide solutions as well as those tailored to individual needs.
Over the past two years, Nestlé has almost doubled its outreach...
The system continues to be successful in identifying children involved in child labor...
[R]emediation includ[es] the following educational activities:
- Building and renovating schools...
- Financing the issuance of birth certificates that give access to the education system...
- Improving women’s literacy as well as providing support on other income-generating activities to support livelihoods...
The monitoring and remediation system is part of Nestlé's broader approach to sustainability in cocoa... The objectives are to make cocoa farming more sustainable and improve the lives of those living in farming communities...
Nestlé will continue to expand its cocoa sustainability program... The company will roll out its Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation System... It will also continue to work with governments, industry peers and other partners to make a difference beyond its own supply chain.