The International Coffee Organisation (ICO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have united to promote the need for sustainable, responsible, and inclusive workplace practises.
On International Coffee Day (ICD) on 1 October, the ICO and ILO are launching the #CoffeePeople campaign and a social media challenge around the theme ‘promoting the right to a safe and healthy working environment in the coffee supply chain’.
“All workers deserve to enjoy decent and safe working conditions. This implies, as a minimum, rules for working hours, adequate payment of wages and effective monitoring of health and safety at work,” says ICO Executive Director Vanúsia Nogueira.
“The coffee sector, which employs millions of people around the world, can be a model of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, where all workers are treated with dignity and respect. I am proud that today, together with the ILO, the ICO is committed to leading and modelling a better coffee workplace to meet all challenges.”
The #CoffeePeople campaign will also raise awareness of ILO’s Vision Zero Fund, a G7 and G20 initiative that aims to advance the vision of achieving zero severe and fatal work-related accidents, injuries, and diseases in global supply chains.
The ICO and ILO will host a series of events on ICD which will establish new resources and opportunities aimed at enhancing the working conditions for coffee sector workers. This is in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The campaign will seek to directly involve producing and consuming countries, international organisations active in the coffee sector, coffee brands and celebrities. Participants can join the campaign by sharing a selfie with their coffee cup and dedicating it to coffee workers.
“Promoting respect for international labour rights and helping key stakeholders commit to upholding these rights is essential to achieve inclusive growth, strengthen the stability and sustainability of the coffee sector, and improve the quality of life for workers,” says Nogueira.
