The European Parliament yesterday gave its consent to the signing of the International Agreement on the supply of cocoa 2010 year and passed a resolution on the use of child labor in cocoa production. This is very profitable for manufacturers, According to analysts.
Industry Association of chocolate production, biscuits and confectionery (CAOBISCO) together with the International Foundation for cocoa production, European Association of manufacturers and suppliers of cocoa and cocoa Federation of United Distributors, endorsed the actions of the European Parliament, that, as stated in the joint statement, the organizations, strengthen cooperation between the private and public sectors in the fight against child labor in cocoa production.
"With this holistic approach to the problem, the world's attention to the problem of child labor in the cocoa industry is under close supervision for more than ten years ", – He said immediately after the signing of the agreement CAOBISCO Secretary Sabine Nafziger.
By monitoring at every stage of production and supply, market participants to manage to control incidents of child labor and stop them "in the bud", said Ms. Nafziger, which allows not only to increase productivity, but also to improve the quality of cocoa and to ensure stability of supply of the product.
research, in Western Africa, show, that in the cocoa industry more involved 284 000 children, of which more 64 % We have not reached the age of 14 years old, and more 150 000 children work with pesticides, without using masks and costumes.
On the other hand. Although the agreement was signed and executed resolution, which encourage manufacturers to control and prevent the use of child labor on cocoa farms and plantations, companies are not required to track, Children working on farms. Wherein, these companies are not subject to any sanctions. But Ms. Nafziger emphasizes, in this case, the company's reputation is at stake, and it plays an important role.
"These companies are interested in stable supplies of high-quality product, and this can not be achieved, if you maintain a level of poverty, that we see today in West Africa. In the interests of the very same companies to improve working conditions for producers of cocoa ", – said Mr. Nafziger.
Leave a Reply