Nestlé and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have announced expansion of their long-standing partnership with the launch of a new two-year project titled ‘From fair recruitment to worker protection in coffee supply chains’.
This strategic initiative is specifically designed to bolster labour rights and promote decent work within the coffee sectors of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. By leveraging the ILO’s unique standard-setting role and its ability to convene diverse stakeholders, the project will facilitate social dialogue between national governments, employers, and workers’ organisations. The goal is to pinpoint and mitigate the systemic drivers of labour-related risks that often shadow the global coffee trade.
The project aims to address persistent challenges within the industry, particularly the “decent work deficits” that affect seasonal and migrant workers. These labourers are essential to a sector that sustains the livelihoods of an estimated 20–25 million families worldwide.
Dan Rees, Director of the ILO Priority Action Programme on Decent Work in Supply Chains, emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating: “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 and promote decent work and contribute to more sustainable supply chains.”
By implementing targeted interventions at the country level, the partnership intends to foster fair recruitment practices and ensure that the fundamental rights of workers are protected. Antje Shaw, Head of Sustainability for Coffee at Nestlé, noted: “Our partnership with the ILO represents a significant step to advancing and promoting human rights in coffee supply chains. By working together, we can progress faster in creating more resilient and inclusive coffee value chains, where workers are treated with dignity.”
Supported by the Nescafé Plan, this collaboration integrates with several ILO flagship initiatives, including the Fair Recruitment Initiative and the Vision Zero Fund, which promotes safe and healthy working environments. As a founding member of the Child Labour Platform, Nestlé’s continued work with the ILO underscores a commitment to ensuring that dignity remains at the heart of coffee production.
