Brazil court fines Cargill in case involving child labor on cocoa farms
Brazil court fines Cargill in case involving child labor on cocoa farms Reuters
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Brazil court fines Cargill in case involving child labor on cocoa farms
SAO PAULO, Sept 26 (Reuters) – Commodities trader Cargill has been ordered by a Brazilian court to pay 600,000 reais ($120,185) as indemnity for buying cocoa from farms where child labor or forced work has been identified.
U.S.-based Cargill said on Tuesday it disagreed with the complaints and fine and would appeal the ruling to a higher court.
According to a decision dated Sept. 18, seen by Reuters, from the 39th Labor Court in the northeastern state of Bahia, Cargill was also ordered to add to its contracts with Brazilian cocoa suppliers clauses to end the commercial relationship if child labor or other unlawful working conditions occur.
The lawsuit was brought against the commodities company by local labor prosecutors.
The court also require Cargill to start a “due diligence” process to verify whether there is child labor in its supply chain and launch a campaign to combat the practice, according to the ruling.
In a statement, Cargill said it could not comment on details of the case because it is subject to legal confidentiality.
However it said it “does not tolerate” human trafficking, forced or child labor in its operations or supply chain and suspends suppliers if any violation is found.
In the lawsuit, the company said that it buys cocoa from hundreds of producers, co-ops and merchants in the country and has no way of knowing whether child labor was used in any stage of that chain.
The court’s decision was first reported by local news outlet Reporter Brasil.
Similar lawsuits have appeared in other countries aiming to make food companies liable for cases of child labor.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., last year dismissed a lawsuit by eight citizens of Mali who sought to hold Hershey Co, Nestle, Cargill and others liable for child slavery on Ivory Coast cocoa farms.
($1 = 4.9923 reais)
Reporting by Ana Mano in Sao Paulo and Marcelo Teixeira in New York; Editing by Sonali Paul
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Reporting by Ana Mano in Sao Paulo and Marcelo Teixeira in New York; Editing by Sonali Paul
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are related to child labor and forced work in cocoa farms, which are connected to SDG 8’s target of promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for all. The article also mentions the need for companies to have clauses in their contracts to end commercial relationships if child labor or other unlawful working conditions occur, which aligns with SDG 12’s target of promoting sustainable consumption and production. Additionally, the article mentions that the court’s decision requires Cargill to start a “due diligence” process to verify whether there is child labor in its supply chain, which relates to SDG 16’s target of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are SDG 8.7, which focuses on eradicating forced labor and child labor, SDG 12.4, which aims to achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes, and SDG 16.3, which promotes the rule of law and equal access to justice.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
- Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including their hazardous waste management plans, and other waste management plans.
- No specific indicator mentioned for SDG 16.3 in the article.
The article mentions child labor as an issue, which can be measured using Indicator 8.7.1, which tracks the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor. The article also implies the need for companies to have waste management plans to address hazardous waste, which can be measured using Indicator 12.4.1.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including their hazardous waste management plans, and other waste management plans. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | No specific indicator mentioned in the article. |
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Source: reuters.com
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