For some time, anti-trafficking activists, myself included, have urged Hershey’s to take steps to remove slave labor from its product supply. My friends at Change.org are currently featuring an important petition I hope will help make the difference in this area. Please join me and others who say it’s time to for Hershey’s to raise the bar in the effort to end human trafficking and modern slavery.

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From change.org

Almost ten years since chocolate companies committed to ending child labor, forced labor and trafficking in their cocoa supply chains, these egregious labor rights abuses continue. While many chocolate companies have taken steps to trace their cocoa purchasing and implement labor rights standards among their suppliers, the Hershey Company lags behind its competitors.  Hershey has no policies in place to trace its cocoa and protect workers. Tell Hershey to raise the bar and be a leader in sustainable chocolate and shift toward Fair Trade Certified cocoa!

Photo credit: cakespy

PETITION LETTER

Hershey: Time to Raise the Bar!

Greetings,

I am deeply concerned about child labor, forced labor and trafficking in the products that I buy. I am disappointed to learn that years after chocolate companies committed to ending these abuses in their cocoa supply chains, that the exploitation continues.

I believe that Hershey should be a leader in ensuring that the rights of workers and farmers are respected in the production of chocolate – from bean to bar. Hershey must do more to ensure an end to child labor, forced labor and trafficking in its chocolate products by supporting the demands of the “Raise the Bar” campaign.

It’s time for Hershey to Raise the Bar by tracing the sources of its cocoa and shifting toward Fair Trade Certified cocoa. By purchasing Fair Trade Certified cocoa, Hershey can truly fulfill its mission to bring sweet moments of Hershey happiness to workers, farmers, children, consumers and shareholders worldwide every day!

[Your name]

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DILLON BURROUGHS is an author, activist, and co-founder of Activist Faith. Dillon served in Haiti following the epic 2010 earthquake and has investigated modern slavery in the US and internationally. His books include Undefending ChristianityNot in My Town (with Charles J. Powell), and Thirst No More (October). Discover more at ActivistFaith.org.

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