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KnowTheChain has released a case study report examining how 10 food and beverage companies are addressing forced labour in their sugarcane supply chains. The report highlights the influence of the Forced Labour Priority Industry Principles in providing a common framework in which to address forced labour issues through joint action, and shines a light on the progress made by some of our member companies.
This report follows on from KnowTheChain’s 2016 food and beverage benchmark which highlighted a lack of transparency and adequate action to address forced labour in commodity supply chains such as sugarcane. The findings of this latest case study report were assembled through a review of all disclosed policies and practices of the 10 companies as well as information gathered from a questionnaire filled out by the companies. KnowTheChain stated that eight of the companies responded to the questionnaire, which represents a considerable increase from last year’s report, when less than half of the companies provided additional disclosure.
The report also highlights that of the 10 companies featured, six companies are members of the CGF and had recently adopted the CGF’s Priority Industry Principles on forced labour. They note that the work of the CGF provides an opportunity for other industry associations and companies to come together to put the Principles into practice, with regards to commodities such as sugarcane.
The report concludes that while some companies have made significant progress in assessing risks and setting targets to eradicate forced labour in the sugarcane supply chain, there is still much work to be made. All companies evaluated need to improve, particularly in providing grievance mechanisms and remediation of identified risks and issues. This latest report demonstrates that whilst companies are moving in the right direction, addressing forced labour is an ongoing journey, which can only be solved through collective action across sectors, and industries.
Read the report to learn more about the findings of the case study, and to gain more insight into the growing expectations on the consumer goods industry with regards to sugarcane.
