Child Labor Used on Chocolate Farms

The cacao bean from which chocolate is made is grown primarily in Western Africa. More than 70% of all the cocoa in the world comes from that region.

Often children are the labourers, working in hard, dangerous conditions.  They are expected to drag 100 pound bags through the jungles. Some use chain saws and machetes.  Many are reportedly beaten if they don’t work fast enough.  Child labor increases production and keep costs low.  These large farms supply to  major companies like Hershey, Nestle, and Mars.  Workers remain well below the poverty line and are paid less than $2 per day.

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