Child Slavery Lawsuit Blocked

Six men who had been trafficked from Mali to work on cocoa farms in Ivory Coast were involved in a lawsuit against Nestlé USA and Cargill. The men had been forced to work 12-14 hours a day on cocoa farms. They claim the chocolate companies perpetuated the slave trade in order to keep cocoa prices low. In a blow to the men and to NGOs who have advocated for many years to eliminate child slavery in the cocoa industry, the US Supreme Court has ruled that the companies cannot be sued as the abuse did not happen within the US.

The legal team representing the men pointed out decisions made by the chocolate companies in the US have impacted on the practice of using child slaves in the cocoa industry in Ivory Coast.  child slavery in Ivory Coast. The team has indicated their intention to file a new lawsuit. For more information read here.