We find ourselves in increasingly volatile and challenging times for human rights and labor rights globally, with hard-won protections facing new challenges every day. Now, we face a critical and systematic dismantling of worker protections: the elimination of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) programs through deliberate, far-reaching cuts. This devastating action destroys decades of progress by gutting 69 essential programs—representing more than $500 million—that fought child labor, forced labor, and other labor abuses across 40 countries.
The end of the year provides a welcome opportunity to share a recap of some of Verité’s latest accomplishments. As is demonstrated by the selection of projects and accomplishments highlighted below, Verité’s work is characterized by deep knowledge and expertise across many issues and supply chains, and by our commitment to collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, companies, unions, workers, producer organizations, civil society groups, and investors, among others.
We’re very proud to share that Verité Program Manager Ebenézer Marcelo Marques de Oliveira has co-authored the book in Portuguese, “Estrangeiro, Nunca Mais! Migrante como sujeito de direito e a importância do advocacy pela nova lei de migração brasileira [Foreigner,...
In Mexico, sugarcane production and processing is comprised of a complex web of actors. Alongside sugar refineries, mills and farmers, the supply chain is made up of less visible actors, such as cabos or crew leaders and field leaders, who largely operate informally. The least visible and most vulnerable actors in the sugar cane supply chain are the sugarcane cutters, who are exposed to many labor risks, including severe risks to their health and safety.
As part of Verité’s Supply Chain Tracing & Engagement Methodologies (STREAMS) project, Erin Klett, Director of STREAMS, led a panel discussion with STREAMS partner Better Cotton and the U.S. Department of Labor at the annual Better Cotton Conference in Amsterdam in June. Traceability and data were at the forefront of this two-day conference, which brought together 350 industry leaders from 38 countries to explore the most salient issues in sustainable cotton production.
