End forced child labour in cocoa industry, says Emma McClarkin MEP

East Midlands Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin has this week spoken in the European Parliament about the 215 million children worldwide who are in child labour, and in particular about child labour in the cocoa industry

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child makes clear the importance of education. Education has a very important role in the development of young children into responsible, literate adults who can play active roles in society.

During her speech in support of a resolution opposing the use of forced child labour in the cocoa industry, Emma said:

“It is with the utmost urgency that we must assist in tackling the problem that is the 215 million children across the world who continue to engage in labour activities that should be abolished.”

“By its very nature as a labour-intensive, often family-run enterprise, cocoa farming can in some instances pose a major problem. West Africa, where 70% of the world’s cocoa is cultivated, is the obvious example. Progress in abolishing the use of child labour is hampered by ongoing conflict in the region and it is also difficult to change attitudes amongst families and communities.

“I recognise that there are work activities that are acceptable for children to participate in as long as the opportunity remains for educational activity but cocoa farming has been shown to pose major risks for child labourers, often without the opportunity for education.

Emma is also supporting calls for a voluntary labelling system for cocoa products such as chocolate, which enables producers to reassure consumers that the cocoa they use has not taken advantage of child labour:

“I believe that a simple labelling system on chocolate bars and other cocoa products would empower consumers to vote with their wallets against child labour.”

“As an elected representative, I enjoy speaking to schoolchildren in my constituency of the East Midlands who do not worry about being forced to work in dangerous circumstances. I want these norms to prevail worldwide.”