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Groups Say That Hershey's All-American Image Masks "Bitter Truth" of Abysmal Track Record; The Hershey Company's first ever Corporate Social Responsibility Report fails to address the elephant in the room: forced and child labor
Groups Say That Hershey's All-American Image Masks "Bitter Truth" of Abysmal Track Record; The Hershey Company's first ever Corporate Social Responsibility Report fails to address the elephant in the room: forced and child labor
Published 09-13-10
Submitted by Green America
As fall returns in North America, the lunch boxes and Halloween candy bags of America's children will be filled with Hershey Bars, Hershey's Kisses, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and other confections of the Hershey Company. But what most American parents don't realize is that "halfway across the globe, there is a dark side to Hershey. In West Africa, where Hershey sources much of its cocoa, the scene is one of child labor, trafficking and forced labor," according to a major new report from Global Exchange, Green America, the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) and Oasis USA.
Titled "Time to Raise the Bar: The Real Corporate Social Responsibility for the Hershey Company," the report notes that Hershey dominates 42.5 percent of the U.S. chocolate market, even though it lags every major competitor in terms of programs instituted to ensure sustainability in their cocoa purchasing. Chocolate companies that do better include, Cadbury/Kraft, Mars and Nestle, according to the report. Hershey's own CSR report, issued today, fails to provide any evidence that Hershey is making progress in addressing these issues.
As the Time to Raise the Bar report notes: "The largest global chocolate companies are increasingly purchasing cocoa that is certified to meet certain labor, social and environmental standards. Hershey stands out as a laggard in terms of its supply chain responsibility practices."
"Hershey has been hiding too long behind its image as America's chocolate company and a responsible corporate citizen," says Green America Fair Trade Coordinator Elizabeth O'Connell. "It's time for Hershey to raise the bar and ensure that abusive child labor and forced labor are not in their cocoa."
"It is time for Hershey to ensure that worker rights are protected - from bean to bar - in the production of its chocolate," says Tim Newman, Campaigns Director of the International Labor Rights Forum. "Our sweet treats should not come at the expense of children in West Africa or workers around the world."
"Children continue to suffer in slavery as Hershey's profits soar," says Oasis USA Executive Director Paul Hong-Lange. "Hershey CAN and must do its part to end human trafficking on cocoa farms in West Africa."
"Hershey demonstrates a commitment to children in the US by funding the Milton Hershey School," says Global Exchange Fair Trade Director Adrienne Fitch-Frankel. "They can demonstrate the same concern for children and families in African communities that farm their cocoa by using Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa for their chocolates."
PROBLEMS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE REPORT
WHAT HERSHEY NEEDS TO DO
Agreement to take immediate action to eliminate forced and child labor in violation of international human rights standards on forced, child and trafficked labor from Hershey's cocoa supply chain through
Commitment to sourcing 100% Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa beans by 2012 for at least one of its top five selling chocolate bars that prominently displays the Hershey name.
Additionally, a commitment to making at least one additional top five selling bar 100% Fair Trade Certified™ every two years thereafter, so that Hershey's top five selling cocoa bars will all be 100% Fair Trade Certified™ within 10 years.
Finally, a commitment that the majority of Hershey's cocoa across all products will be Fair Trade Certified™ by 2022.
As the report points out: "Achieving these outcomes will mean that Hershey's and its stockholders are no longer profiting from forced labor and child labor. Hershey's will be meeting contemporary 21st century corporate standards for transparency. Today, Hershey's is a laggard when it comes to corporate social responsibility concerning its core products. Committing to and accomplishing these outcomes would elevate Hershey's to the ranks of exemplary leadership within the community of American corporations."
The report is available at the following websites:
Global Exchange: http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/raisethebarhershey.html
Green America: http://www.greenamerica.org/pdf/HersheyReport.pdf
International Labor Rights Forum: http://laborrights.org/stop-child-forced-labor/cocoa-campaign/resources/12395
Oasis USA: http://www.oasisusa.org/index.php/projects/the_chocolate_campaign/
ABOUT THE GROUPS
GLOBAL EXCHANGE is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world.
www.GlobalExchange.org
GREEN AMERICA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to harness economic power--the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace--to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.
www.GreenAmericaToday.org
THE INTERNATIONAL LABOR RIGHTS FORUM is an advocacy organization dedicated to achieving just and humane treatment for workers worldwide.
www.LaborRights.org
OASIS USA is a non-profit organization committed to developing communities where everyone is included, making a contribution, and reaching their God-given potential.
www.OasisUSA.org
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Leslie Anderson, for Green America, (703) 2786-3256 or landerson@hastingsgroup.com
International Labor Rights Forum
Tim Newman
Campaigns Director
tim.newman@ilrf.org or
202-347-4100 x113
Oasis USA
Paul Hong-Lange
Executive Director
paul@oasisusa.org or
626-584-0800
Global Exchange
Adrienne Fitch-Frankel
Fair Trade Campaign Director
adrienne@globalexchange.com or
510-919-5496
Green America is United States' leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. Green America's green economy programs encourage corporate responsibility, tackle climate change, build fair trading systems, advance healthy, local communities, and provide green purchasing and investing information for families and businesses. To receive Green America's popular publications, including the Green American and the National Green Pages™, participate in Green Festivals, or to get its free e-newsletter, providing the latest green news, green discounts, and opportunities to take action for a green economy, visit http://www.GreenAmerica.org, email info@GreenAmericaToday.org, or call at 800-58-GREEN.
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