Basing on the article ‘Child labour and slavery in the chocolate industry’ by the Food Empowerment Project (FEP), it can be seen that the consumers are responsible for putting an end to the slavery in the chocolate production chain. According to the author’s argument, chocolate is a luxury good and not a basic requirement such as vegetables and fruits. Following this argument, he concludes by saying the consumers can intentionally stop purchasing chocolate that has been sourced from Western Africa. The Food Empowerment Project has put up a list that has vegan chocolates that they recommend and the ones they do not recommend. This list will assist to spread the campaign against child labour involved in the production chain. In my opinion, I am not very sure if this campaign can be emphasised and made to succeed if the website only provides the list. There is more to be done other than just giving consumers the list and making them refuse to purchase the product.
I believe that the organization should do more than just producing the list and start a campaign to that effect. As earlier stated, chocolate is a luxury good and people can choose to do without it. This means that it is true that consumers may choose not to purchase chocolate and opt to do without it. On the other hand, they can choose to buy chocolate from companies that do not subject their workers to harsh working conditions. The problem, however, comes when people are brand specific and are more particular on what type of chocolate they love. This will mean that the campaign may not be as effective since consumer satisfaction is not met. In addition, consumers may not have the knowledge and the FEP may be forced to take their campaign a bit higher to achieve this. For example, they can be forced to have fliers or stickers in supermarkets and other shopping outlets sensitizing the consumer about the child labour and unethical working conditions. This may be an expensive and time consuming ordeal and the targeted companies will definitely retaliate.
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Additionally, as depicted in the video from ‘The Sunday Supper project’, it can be seen that people can still learn how to make their own chocolate and embrace its beauty. If they really crave a good cup of chocolate, they can learn how to make it and significantly reduce the number of goods manufactured. From the video, the Mexican woman seems to enjoy making her chocolate and does it with so much passion and zeal. This shows that the process of making chocolate should not be frustrating and horrible. Different people can embrace the culture and take chocolate they are aware of the source (The Sunday Supper Project, 2016). Making and taking chocolate is seen as a social activity that brings people together. The woman making the chocolate says they remove the cocoa husks during parties ad make it a fun activity. This is however contrary to the process of making chocolate experienced by the workers in West Africa. They have a frustrating time in preparing the chocolate they do not even get to taste.
In my opinion, I believe that the organization can use social media and other communication platforms to sensitize people on this matter. For instance, a viral message on facebook or whatsapp can reach a large population base and sensitize the public. We live in a world where social media and communication has been diversified and using such opportunities to save people who are suffering may be effective. A campaign on social media will reach various countries and nations since the world is interconnected and most people share such information. To add on this, I believe organization such as the Centre for Human Rights and humanitarian law and others that deal with the rights of children should come together and join forces and attack these multinational companies. Most of the billion dollar companies that have been mentioned are powerful and this can make them take the laws to their advantage, however, if they have a more powerful union to fight against, this may not be possible.
It is sad that the lives of children are tampered with and they are denied basic human rights while at the same time they are subjected to cruel working conditions; this is not humane. Nevertheless, the underlying problems that force children to work at a tender age should also be addressed; poverty for one is the main reason children end up in the arms of cruel managers who deny them their fundamental human rights. This among other issues needs to be addressed to completely eradicate this menace that is digging its roots deep into our world. The process of making coffee should be enjoyable and interesting such as the experience displayed in the video by the Mexican women (The Sunday Supper Project, 2016). People should enjoy the fruits of their labour instead of toiling and suffering under the arms of cruel managers in the name of eking a living.
References;
Food Empowerment Project. (2016). Child Labor and Slavery in the Chocolate Industry . Retrieved November 1, 2016 from; http://www.foodispower.org/slavery-chocolate/
The Sunday Supper Project. Preparing drinking chocolate near Oaxaca, Mexico. You tube. November 1, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlAg7zIR57k&feature=youtu.be
