While many chocolate supplying companies, including Ben and Jerry’s, Cadbury, and Nestle, have made noticeable efforts on ending this injustice by providing products that are certified to meet certain labor standards, Hershey has clearly lagged behind.  On September 13, 2010 Hershey released its first Corporate Social Responsibility report, but Hershey currently has no means of tracking where their cocoa is coming from or auditing its cocoa farms to ensure labor standards for its suppliers.  This leaves many consumers in the dark as to whether or not their chocolate has been made at the hands of child labor.  ILRF is asking Hershey to take immediate action to end the use of child and forced labor on the cocoa farms in its supply chain.  

However, although bail has been granted in all cases, Kalpona, Babul, and Aminul still face prosecution on all charges filed against them.  Furthermore, BCWS’ NGO registration has still not been restored following its cancellation in early June and the organization is not permitted to function.   Additionally, several other prominent Bangladeshi labor leaders continue to face criminal charges, including Mr. Montu Ghosh, legal advisor to the Garment Sramik Trade Union Kendra, who is named in at least five of the cases against BCWS leaders and remains in prison since his arrest on July 30, 2010.

By Courtney Smith, Intern, ILRF 

Drop Off a Letter to a Walmart in Your Town

Take a few minutes out of your day tomorrow, Wednesday September 8, 2010, to deliver a letter to the store manager at your local Walmart.  In addition you can hand out a leaflet we have created after you deliver your letter to Walmart customers to raise awareness about the issue.