CBS News Investigation Reveals Children as Young as 5 Working on Farms Supplying Mars
In a shocking exposé, CBS News has uncovered the persistent issue of child labor in Ghana’s cocoa industry, specifically within the supply chain of American chocolate giant Mars. Despite the company’s pledge to eliminate child labor from its supply chain by 2025, our investigation found children as young as 5 years old using machetes to harvest cocoa beans. These beans eventually find their way into some of America’s most beloved chocolates, including M&Ms and Snickers. CBS News obtained exclusive evidence that contradicts Mars’ claims of rescuing thousands of children, as some of the listed beneficiaries were still found working in the fields.
Broken Promises: Mars’ Failure to Protect Child Laborers
Munira, a 15-year-old girl, has been toiling in cocoa fields since the age of 5. With her school located an hour away and transportation expenses being a luxury her family cannot afford, Munira’s dreams of becoming a medical doctor remain distant. Despite field supervisors contracted by Mars providing her with school supplies and backpacks, no one has checked if she is attending school. Munira’s story is not unique, as her 12-year-old brother Gafalo also works in the fields, yearning for an education denied to him.
Flawed Monitoring Systems: Whistleblower Exposes Mars’ Lack of Accountability
A cocoa field supervisor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed to CBS News that the data used to compile the lists of children benefiting from Mars’ monitoring system is often inaccurate or fabricated. He admitted to personally creating false lists under pressure to produce names within tight deadlines. Furthermore, the supervisor stated that the companies involved never verify the information, and no follow-up checks are conducted. CBS News spoke to several children whose names appeared on these lists, and none of them were attending school or receiving regular monitoring.
Fabricated Names and Ineffective Oversight: CBS News Uncovers the Truth
During our investigation, CBS News discovered that some names on the lists of children benefiting from Mars’ monitoring system were outright fabrications. Visiting one farm, we found a child who was no longer working in the cocoa fields, yet her name appeared on the list as the farmer’s daughter. This revelation raises serious questions about the accuracy and effectiveness of Mars’ monitoring efforts. Additionally, CBS News visited a cocoa warehouse in Ghana that supplies Mars, where an employee admitted that he could not guarantee all the cocoa handled there was produced without child labor.
Legal Action and Corporate Response: Advocates Fight for Justice
Human rights lawyer Terry Collingsworth has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging consumer fraud against American chocolate companies, including Mars. Collingsworth has collected statements from Ghanaian children working for Mars suppliers, highlighting the backbreaking labor they endure. CBS News witnessed a child nearly losing his fingers to a machete blade while harvesting cocoa pods. In response to the investigation, Mars released a statement condemning the use of child labor and promising a thorough investigation once they receive specific details.
Conclusion:
The CBS News investigation has shed light on the persistent issue of child labor within Mars’ cocoa supply chain in Ghana. Despite the company’s promises to eradicate this exploitation, the evidence suggests a failure to protect vulnerable children. The revelations of fabricated names, inadequate monitoring, and the harrowing experiences of child laborers demand urgent action. Mars must take immediate steps to rectify the situation, ensuring that its supply chain is free from child labor. As consumers, we must also hold companies accountable and demand transparency and ethical sourcing in the products we consume. The fight against child labor is far from over, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure a brighter future for the children of Ghana.
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