Bitter Chocolate

By Lisa Williams
 Melbourne - Chocolate lovers are being urged to write to manufacturers to ensure there is no dark side to their favourite sweet.
The International Labour Organisation has condemned the use of child labour in the Ivory Coast and Ghana, African countries that produce 60 percent of the world’s cocoa, a key ingredient in chocolate.
It is estimated that in the West African country of Ivory Coast, 600,000 children work in cocoa fields carrying heavy loads, using machetes and being exposed to chemicals.
 

 
The research also found evidence of children being trafficked. The study estimated up to 12,000children had been trafficked for cocoa in West Africa.
Lisa Williams, who is studying Radio Journalism at RMIT University,  prepared this report on whether the confectionary industry in Australia involves child labour and child trafficking.
 
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WILLIAMS BitterChocolate.mp33.64 MB