Eliminating Child Labour in Rural Areas: Limits of Community-Based Approaches in South-Western Côte d’Ivoire

Assessing the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains: a perspective from the smallholder cocoa farmer

“…From the developed world's perspective, the work activities of children under the age of 15 violate human rights and are a relevant main risk for smallholder cocoa farmers addressed in the LkSG. Even though the Ivorian and Ghanaian governments have agreed to the Harkin and Engel protocol as well as to the Convention on Child Labor by the International Labour Organization (ILO), we need to understand that the concept and definition of child labor in these countries are seen as Western-centered international standards (International Labour Organization, 2011Organization, , 2023aBabo, 2014Babo, , 2019Abdullah et al, 2022). Therefore, it is important to consider the Ghanaian and Ivorian socio-cultural norms and values, which are highly similar due to their shared history.…”

“…Most Ghanaians and Ivorians view child labor as culturally acceptable since it has been in practice for decades. They rather see child labor and children's rights as a foreign concept inconsistent with their social norms and values (Babo, 2014(Babo, , 2019Krauss, 2016;Adonteng-Kissi, 2021). The study by Krauss (2016) indicates that the socio-cultural norms and values are sustained within farming communities and by politicians, as shown by a statement made by a Ghanaian Minister of Education during his research.…”

“…Smallholder cocoa farmers prioritize their children's well-being and future, with no intention of causing harm to them (Adonteng-Kissi, 2018;Babo, 2019). The study by Babo (2019) indicates parents' awareness of farm activities posing risks to children, restricting their involvement in hazardous tasks like using cutlasses until the parents consider that they can use them without hurting themselves. During this period, children observe and learn from the elders on the cocoa farm (Babo, 2019).…”

“…The study by Babo (2019) indicates parents' awareness of farm activities posing risks to children, restricting their involvement in hazardous tasks like using cutlasses until the parents consider that they can use them without hurting themselves. During this period, children observe and learn from the elders on the cocoa farm (Babo, 2019).…”

Policy on Children's Work and Labour

“…Babo's () assessment of child labour in cocoa production in Côte d'Ivoire mentions a range of endeavours to exclude children from such work, including legislation, awareness campaigns and local monitoring committees; yet, children continue to work on farms. Although children contribute to the viability of the farms, for most children, work is a matter of choice and not simply done under the duress of poverty.…”