The cocoa industry has long been criticised for its use of child labour. This is especially concerning in developing nations, where child labour is widespread due to rampant poverty.
In light of growing concerns, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) convened this weekend to make recommendations to reduce the prominence of child labour. Following two sessions of debate, a resolution paper was finally passed in the third committee session.
This resolution paper urges support of Fairtrade International and suggests that social media be used to encourage the use of the Fairtrade International seal. Additionally, it calls for improved monitoring of companies in order to identify which companies are using children as labourers.
The paper also expresses the CRC’s support of the acclaimed National Action Plan of the Cote D’Ivoire and requests that it be expanded. Also, it asks the international community to aid the Cote D’Ivoire with its program either financially or with advice.
Another recommendation made by the committee included expanding the United Nations Food Program in nations with significant cocoa industries in order to reduce the number of families that are forced to send their young children to work in the industry. The resolution paper also states that this measure will allow more children to be educated, thus improving the future of affected nations.
The committee also harshly condemned the trafficking of children and suggested the implementation of an Optional Protocol to be be ratified by nations involved in cocoa production. By ratifying this agreement, governments would be held accountable for child labour in their nations.
Finally, the resolution paper also suggests that a union of West African farmers be created. This union would provide economic aid and education to farmers so that these farmers would be less likely to use children as labourers.
In an interview with the CBC, the delegate of Canada stated, “[Canada] supports most of the resolution paper.” However, the Canadian delegate was critical of the plan for a farmers’ union, citing the corruption of certain governments, whether such a union would be useful, and the fact that Canadian journalists have been killed while reporting on child labour, bringing into question if governments would really cooperate with the UN. “We should be helping children, not farmers,” the Canadian delegate said. “The farmers’ union is a waste of time and waste of money,” he added. Furthermore, he expressed that he would have preferred the money used for the farmers’ union be used instead to fund NGOs who directly assist children in difficult conditions.
Now, the CRC has begun to discuss child sex slavery. Already, the Canadian delegate has voiced criticism of governments for failing to enforce existing laws. Over the next two days, the CRC plans to successfully pass yet another resolution paper.
In light of growing concerns, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) convened this weekend to make recommendations to reduce the prominence of child labour. Following two sessions of debate, a resolution paper was finally passed in the third committee session.
This resolution paper urges support of Fairtrade International and suggests that social media be used to encourage the use of the Fairtrade International seal. Additionally, it calls for improved monitoring of companies in order to identify which companies are using children as labourers.
The paper also expresses the CRC’s support of the acclaimed National Action Plan of the Cote D’Ivoire and requests that it be expanded. Also, it asks the international community to aid the Cote D’Ivoire with its program either financially or with advice.
Another recommendation made by the committee included expanding the United Nations Food Program in nations with significant cocoa industries in order to reduce the number of families that are forced to send their young children to work in the industry. The resolution paper also states that this measure will allow more children to be educated, thus improving the future of affected nations.
The committee also harshly condemned the trafficking of children and suggested the implementation of an Optional Protocol to be be ratified by nations involved in cocoa production. By ratifying this agreement, governments would be held accountable for child labour in their nations.
Finally, the resolution paper also suggests that a union of West African farmers be created. This union would provide economic aid and education to farmers so that these farmers would be less likely to use children as labourers.
In an interview with the CBC, the delegate of Canada stated, “[Canada] supports most of the resolution paper.” However, the Canadian delegate was critical of the plan for a farmers’ union, citing the corruption of certain governments, whether such a union would be useful, and the fact that Canadian journalists have been killed while reporting on child labour, bringing into question if governments would really cooperate with the UN. “We should be helping children, not farmers,” the Canadian delegate said. “The farmers’ union is a waste of time and waste of money,” he added. Furthermore, he expressed that he would have preferred the money used for the farmers’ union be used instead to fund NGOs who directly assist children in difficult conditions.
Now, the CRC has begun to discuss child sex slavery. Already, the Canadian delegate has voiced criticism of governments for failing to enforce existing laws. Over the next two days, the CRC plans to successfully pass yet another resolution paper.