Abstract
The cocoa industry has profited from the utilization of forced labor in West Africa since the late 1800s. Despite the Portuguese decree in 1876 abolishing slavery, and the release of cocoa plantation slaves, slave labor was quickly reemployed, aided by the exploitation of legal loopholes and government officials willing to turn a blind eye. In 1905, after hearing reports of unfavorable labor conditions, William Cadbury dispatched a member of the Anti-Slavery Society to investigate the cocoa plantations. Upon receiving confirmation of human rights violations, Cadbury boycotted Portuguese cocoa and persuaded two other chocolate firms to do the same. Cadbury’s actions affected not only the British chocolate markets, but also American ones, which eventually stopped using slave-produced cocoa.
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Recommended Citation
Sackett, Marjie
(2008)
"Forced Child Labor and Cocoa Production in West Africa,"
Human Rights & Human Welfare: Vol. 8:
Iss.
1, Article 34.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/hrhw/vol8/iss1/34
Included in
African Studies Commons, Economic Policy Commons, Human Rights Law Commons, International Humanitarian Law Commons, International Law Commons, International Relations Commons, Social Policy Commons