before selling to processors, and Friedman A corporation is responsible with major chocolate companies, once argued; for more than making money responsibility was not taken for the that is, a alarming accounts of child labor corporation and providing a product, and modern slavery the journalists is responsible it is accountable for every had uncovered when visiting West for more member in its supply chain. Africa. than making Co-ops certified as fair trade were intended to ensure fair wages and money and certain bonuses for farmers from suppliers, and to facilitate human providing a to make the supply chain equal. rights standards; yet the farmers product, it is accountable for Within their first fifteen years Tony’s never got their bonuses and the every member in its supply chain. has become the largest chocolate cooperatives didn’t think shortfalls A corporation is to ensure the brand in the Netherlands and are were their fault. Companies “key players” in their chain are increasingly popular in US and certified as fair-trade could not empowered in the system and are worldwide markets. Due diligence trace the sources of their beans, an equal part of the chain. This then is clearly not a disadvantage to making due diligence impossible to type of business model can reduce the chocolate company. ensure fairness or equality in their the exploitation of labor and bring supply chains. links of the chain into relations Tony’s strategy is also dynamic, in Among others, Tony’s makes with each other up and down the that the system is not yet perfect. due diligence transparent for supply line. Moments still arise when Tony’s their consumers. The “open chain” initiative displayed on Tony’s has partnered with other must confront their partners to their bars engages stakeholders suppliers to promote five sourcing challenge labor practices and as a collaborative effort, saying principles which evidentially reassess relationships. But that’s “together we’ll make chocolate 100% reduce modern slavery from what due diligence is all about. This slave free.” Consumers, farmers, within the industry. Using these is a significant distinction between retailers, and governments – and principles has proved most effective making stakeholders instead of the major chocolate companies – over legislative, legal, and other shareholders. Every person along all have a role in the chain and are strategies of external pressure. the ‘open’ supply chain is accounted thus meant to be engaged not just Tony’s founders initially tried for, has a stake in the processmaking as commodities in the production to speak with industry giants to them accountable for those ahead process. A business’s social change their ways, and then sought and behind in the chain. On the responsibility is not just to increase legal action to bring attention to the consumer’s end, using purchase profits, despite what Milton worst from of child labor being used, power to demand fair labor practice both to no avail. The last solution is among the strongest tools in the was to start their own brand and people’s chest. share their story: that it is possible, and far from difficult, Tony's Chocolonely WORLD 51
Berkeley BPR.BERKELEY.EDU Political /BERKELEYPOLITICALREVIEW Review @BERKELEYPOLREV @BERKELEYPOLITICALREVIEW APPLY ONLINE: BPR.BERKELEY.EDU/APPLY Interested in contributing to UC Berkeley’s only nonpartisan political magazine? Applications open at the beginning of each semester. Positions open in: Writing | Design | Business | Tech Cover by Catherine Hsu Interested in advertising here? Contact [email protected] Cover design: Iris Kwok
Search
