Nestlé and the ILO launched a two-year project to strengthen human rights and labor protections in coffee supply chains across Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. Supported by the Nescafé Plan 2030 and its $1 billion+ sustainability commitment, the initiative focuses on fair recruitment, decent work for seasonal and migrant workers, and safer working conditions via the ILO’s Vision Zero Fund and Fair Recruitment Initiative. With ~125 million people dependent on coffee livelihoods—and 80% of farming families at or below the poverty line—the effort targets systemic labor deficits in high-risk geographies.
According to www.esgtoday.com, Nestlé and the International Labor Organization (ILO) announced a new two-year project to advance human rights protections for workers in coffee supply chains across Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.
Project Scope and Institutional Backing
The initiative is supported by the Nescafé Plan, Nestlé’s global sustainability program for its flagship coffee brand. Launched in 2010 and updated in 2022 as Nescafé Plan 2030, the program includes a commitment of more than $1 billion to improve coffee farming sustainability and support farmers’ transition to regenerative agriculture practices.
Human Rights and Labor Context
The project responds to persistent decent work deficits in global coffee production. As noted by the ILO, coffee sustains the livelihoods of approximately 20–25 million families worldwide. Meanwhile, around 125 million people depend on coffee for their livelihoods — with roughly 80% of coffee-farming families living at or below the poverty line. Seasonal and migrant workers are especially vulnerable to labor-related risks.
Implementation Framework
Under the collaboration, the ILO will facilitate social dialogue among governments, employers’ organizations, and workers’ organizations to identify root causes of labor rights gaps. Insights from this engagement will inform targeted country-level interventions focused on:
- Fair recruitment practices
- Strengthening labor rights enforcement
- Supporting global knowledge-sharing across the coffee sector
The initiative contributes directly to the ILO’s Fair Recruitment Initiative and supports its Safety + Health for All Flagship Program, particularly the Vision Zero Fund, which aims to advance safe and healthy working conditions in supply chains.
“Our partnership with the ILO represents a significant step toward advancing and promoting human rights in coffee supply chains. By working together, we can accelerate progress in building more resilient and inclusive coffee value chains, where workers are treated with dignity.” — Antje Shaw, Head of Sustainability for Coffee at Nestlé
“Coffee production sustains the livelihoods of approximately 20–25 million families worldwide, generating vital income and employment. However, decent work deficits in coffee supply chains persist, particularly among seasonal and migrant workers. Through this project, we aim to advance labour rights, promote decent work, and contribute to more sustainable supply chains.” — Dan Rees, Director of the ILO Priority Action Program on Decent Work in Supply Chains
Source: www.esgtoday.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
