Tropical commodities sourcing company, Touton, says it is committed to addressing child labour issues in cocoa-growing communities in Ghana.
According to Touton, in order to ensure that no child labour occurs in its cocoa supply-chains in the country, it works hand-in-hand with credible independent implementing parties to undertake awareness-raising and mitigation programmes.
These parties, Touton pointed out in its end of 2020 year report, include local chapters of the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) and Child Rights International (CRI).
“With guidance from ICI, we are also working to assess the risk of forced labour in our cocoa supply chains,” read the report.
Touton also added that it supports the rights of farmers in its cocoa sourcing areas through training, distribution of equipment and awareness raising campaigns.
“We support cooperatives and farmer groupings in ensuring farmers are aware of their labour rights,” Touton stated.
Human rights institutions and International organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have often advocated that the sourcing or production of cocoa beans be free of environmental and human rights abuses, specifically child labour.
In view of that, big chocolate manufacturing firms like Hershey and Nestle undertake sustainability programmes in cocoa producing areas aimed at creating more jobs while enhancing the safety and well-being of farming families as well as putting an end to child labour on cocoa farms.
In 2018 and 2019, Hershey said it had its suppliers adopt its child labor monitoring and remediation system. By tracking 69,988 children in Ghana and Ivory Coast, it discovered 4,616 children doing what it deemed “inappropriate” work.
Touton is a leading agro-industrial actor with over 150 years experience in providing its customers with high quality commodities. Touton delivers responsibly-sourced cocoa, coffee, vanilla and natural ingredients.
Read below details of Touton’s 2020 report:
19122020 Touton UNGC COP Final Report by Fuaad Dodoo on Scribd
