Big Chocolate, just say 'Yes!'

On 1 July 2008, the chocolate industry failed to meet yet another deadline to tackle labour exploitation in West African cocoa fields. This deadline was required of industry by the Harkin-Engle Protocol, which the chocolate industry first voluntarily committed itself to in 2001.

World Vision calls on the Australian chocolate industry to make a genuine attempt to tackle the root causes of child labour and exploitation in cocoa production.

To add your support, sign the Big Chocolate, just say ‘Yes!’ petition.

World Vision calls on the Australian chocolate industry to publically commit to the following statement:

We, the Confectionery Manufacturers of Australasia, on behalf of Australian chocolate manufacturers, are actively committed to eliminating the worst forms of child labour and exploitation from our cocoa supply chains and to guaranteeing farmers a fair price for their cocoa.

By 2018, the Australian chocolate industry will fulfill the following five major categories of initiatives which are considered imperative to addressing the problem of exploitative labour in cocoa farming in West Africa:

Fair Pricing: Acknowledge and address the inadequacy in the price of cocoa paid to farmers and commit to achieving a fairer trade price for cocoa. A fair and stable price for farmers is a critical component and root cause of the exploitative labour problem.
Community Wellbeing: Commit to supporting a range of community services and the establishment of fund schemes managed by cocoa growing communities. Investment will be made to improve future productivity, to promote best agricultural practices and inputs, and to achieve social and economic development within communities.
Improved Community Services: Undertake a coordinated plan of action that addresses and invests in areas of community vulnerability that limit cocoa growing communities’ capacity to develop. This includes provision of early childhood development programs; education for children, adults and migrants; water, roads and electricity; and preventative HIV programs that align with national development strategies and the Millennium Development Goals.
Sustainable Production: Ensure that sustainable production and higher returns translate to fair pricing for farmers, while enabling and supporting their government’s ability to provide essential community services and support broader community social development goals.
Informed Consumers: Ensure that all Australian chocolate manufacturers who are members of the CMA participate in ethical certification schemes that fall under the ISEAL Alliance banner.

By 1 December 2008, the Confectionery Manufacturers Australasia will publicly outline a detailed and costed Plan of Action to ensure that our products are free of child labour and exploitation. We will commit to funding US$14 million per year for the next 10 years, or approximately 1 percent of industry revenue in Australia, to the roll out of this Plan. The Action Plan will be compiled as part of a global strategy and in consultation with governments, labour unions, the ISEAL Alliance, cocoa cooperatives, Non Government Organisations, International Organisations, and the International Labour Organisation (including IPEC). During the next 10 years, milestones on each of the five key areas will be delivered and reported on publicly.

We acknowledge that systemic changes require an injection of funds of up to US$5.10 billion over 10 years from the global chocolate industry and, as Australian manufacturers, we hereby commit to doing our fair share.