16x9 - Child Labour: The Dark Side of Chocolate

Summary

This investigation sheds light on the hidden reality behind the cocoa industry, revealing the widespread use of child labor on cocoa farms in Ghana. Children as young as 9 work long hours under harsh conditions, often deprived of education and subjected to abuse. Despite efforts by the Ghanaian government and fair trade organizations, child trafficking and exploitation remain pervasive in cocoa farming. The video emphasizes the importance of ethical consumerism, urging viewers to choose fair trade chocolate to support the welfare of farmers and help eradicate child labor in the cocoa industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Easter is a significant commercial event for the chocolate industry, but it also highlights a darker issue—child labor in cocoa production in West Africa.
• 😀 Children as young as 9 years old are working on cocoa farms in Ghana under harsh conditions, often for long hours each day.
• 😀 Child labor on cocoa farms in Ghana is widespread, with children working 8 to 12 hours a day, sometimes under abusive conditions.
• 😀 Despite cocoa beans being Ghana's most important cash crop, child labor and trafficking remain significant problems, especially in rural areas.
• 😀 The Ghanaian government struggles to curb child trafficking and child labor, although they are attempting to take action, such as providing educational support and compensating parents.
• 😀 Western demand for chocolate indirectly sustains the exploitation of children, as many cocoa farmers live in extreme poverty and rely on cheap labor to survive.
• 😀 The use of child labor and trafficking for cocoa work is often facilitated by traffickers who buy children from their parents, further fueling the problem.
• 😀 Some chocolate companies, like Cadbury, are making efforts by using fair trade cocoa, but many others have yet to take significant action on this issue.
• 😀 Fair trade chocolate ensures better conditions for workers and eliminates child labor by ensuring fair wages and educational opportunities for children.
• 😀 By choosing fair trade certified chocolate, consumers can help improve the lives of cocoa farmers and their families, contributing to long-term community development.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script?

The main issue is the use of child labor in the cocoa industry, particularly in West Africa, where children are forced to work on cocoa farms under harsh and exploitative conditions.

How old are some of the children working in the cocoa farms in Ghana?

Some children as young as 9 years old are working on cocoa farms in Ghana, often for long hours and under dangerous conditions.

Why do some children work on cocoa farms in Ghana?

Many children work on cocoa farms because their families cannot afford basic necessities, and in some cases, children are trafficked to work on these farms.

What are the working conditions like for these children?

The children work up to 12 hours a day in harsh conditions, often without pay or proper nutrition, and are subjected to dangerous tasks, including the use of insecticides.

What role does the government of Ghana play in addressing child labor in cocoa farms?

The Ghanaian government is under pressure to address child labor by working to get children out of cocoa farms and into schools. They also provide support like uniforms and books to encourage education.

What is the significance of fair trade in the cocoa industry?

Fair trade ensures that cocoa is sourced from farms that do not use child labor, and it guarantees farmers fair wages, better working conditions, and improved community infrastructure.

What is the impact of fair trade on farmers and their communities?

Fair trade provides farmers with a guaranteed fair price for their beans and helps fund community projects such as clean water systems and better nutrition through locally purchased equipment.

Which chocolate company is mentioned as using fair trade cocoa?

Cadbury is mentioned as the only major chocolate company that has promised to use fair trade cocoa in one of its candy bars.

How does child labor in the cocoa industry affect children’s futures?

Child labor deprives children of education and a chance for a better future, as it denies them the opportunity to attend school and develop the skills needed for future opportunities.

What is the message to consumers regarding chocolate purchases?

Consumers are encouraged to choose fair trade chocolate, as their purchase decisions can help eliminate child labor in cocoa farming and improve the lives of farmers and their families in West Africa.