Article
Advancing the Human Rights of Rural People
Addressing human rights abuses in agriculture and forestry is a key focus of our work to make responsible business the new normal.... Continue Reading
What's at Stake
The production of many commonly traded goods—coffee, chocolate, tea, bananas, palm oil, and timber—often involves human rights abuses. While progress has been made in recent years, thorny problems such as child labor, forced labor, poor working conditions, low wages, gender inequality, and the violation of Indigenous land rights are still embedded in many supply chains.
Human rights and sustainability
Advancing the rights of rural people goes hand-in-hand with improving planetary health. Project Drawdown cites gender equality, for instance, as one of the top climate solutions, and in our own work, we have seen that farmers and forest communities can better steward their land when their human rights are respected. Everyone deserves to live and work with dignity, agency, and self-determination—and promoting the rights of rural people is key to a sustainable future.
Our Impact
Improving lives and promoting rights of rural communities is a central part of our mission. Our field results, backed by independent studies, demonstrate, for instance, that workers on certified farms are more likely to enjoy better working conditions and important protections.
Better Working Conditions on Certified Tea Estates
96 percent
of workers on Rainforest Alliance Certified tea estates in Tamil Nadu, India, receive paid annual and sick leave*
In Tamil Nadu, India, a study of 300 farmworkers on seven Rainforest Alliance Certified tea estates and one noncertified estate found a significantly higher percentage of workers on certified estates had contracts and annual paid leave, sick leave, and maternity leave.
*Source: Lalitha N, Nelson V, Martin A, Posthumus H. 2013. Assessing the poverty impact of sustainability standards: Indian tea. Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, London.
Better health and safety on banana plantations
100 percent
of Rainforest Alliance Certified banana farms studied in Colombia have a health and safety professional for their workers*
A study of 13 newly certified banana plantations in Colombia found health and safety professionals to be practicing on all the farms. These professionals identify risks, conduct trainings, and facilitate medical exams. 50 percent more managers on certified farms than non-certified also reported providing in-kind health benefits to permanent workers.
*Based on 2018 survey of newly certified farms in Colombia (Beekman, G. M. Dekkers, and T. Koster (2019). Towards a sustainable banana supply chain in Colombia; Rainforest Alliance certification and economic, social and environmental conditions on small-scale banana plantations in Magdalena, Colombia. Wageningen, Wageningen Economic Research, Report 2019-019: 1-49)
Our Work: Human Rights
The Rainforest Alliance brings together producers, companies, governments, nonprofit organizations, and consumers to advance human rights in the landscapes where we work. We work both to transform business practices and government policy, as well as promote the rights of our partner communities within our certification system and sustainable development initiatives.
Article
The World’s Best Forest Guardians: Indigenous Peoples
Research shows that Indigenous peoples know best how to protect forests.... Continue Reading
Article
A Decent Standard of Living for All
The Rainforest Alliance believes that workers around the world should be paid enough money to provide a decent life for themselves and their families.... Continue Reading
Article
Women Are the Key to Environmental Resilience
Gender equality is not only a question of human rights, or increasing economic activity in developing countries. It is the key to effectively meeting some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. ... Continue Reading
All resources for Human rights
Filter by:
Project Profile: Supporting Women to Thrive Economically in Mesoamerica
All over the world, women are the backbone of local economies and agricultural work. In fact, nearly half of all agricultural workers globally are women. [Read more...]
Topics: In the Field
Project Profile: Tackling Forced Labor and Child Labor in the Ghanaian Cocoa and Gold Mining Sectors
Amid Ghana’s tropical forests and lush hills, the cocoa and gold industries are booming. Ghana is the largest gold producer in Africa, and Ghana and Côte D'Ivoire account for over 60% of global cocoa production. [Read more...]
Topics: CocoaGhanaIn the Field
Open Letter: How Can COP26 Address Climate Change and Modern Slavery?
COP26 must deliver on the vision of a global, just and transformational recovery that integrates, defends and expands human rights; and reduces inequality by prioritizing the needs of the most affected, marginalised and discriminated people.[Read more...]
Topics: Insights
White Paper
Joint Position Paper on the EU’s Policy and Regulatory Approach to Cocoa
Ambitious legislation is needed to drive sustainability transformation across global cocoa supply chains. In this joint position paper—from a unique coalition of companies, NGOs, certification
View: Joint Position Paper on the EU’s Policy and Regulatory Approach to Cocoa
White Paper
Legislating for Impact: Three Recommendations to Make Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Work for Smallholders
To effectively stop human rights violations and negative environmental impacts in global supply chains, EU policymakers should ensure the upcoming legislation leads to positive impacts for
View: Legislating for Impact: Three Recommendations to Make Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Work for Smallholders
Topics: Everyday actions
Media Coverage
Project to tackle child labour in cocoa and gold mining sectors launched
The Rainforest Alliance has launched a project to tackle forced and child labour in the cocoa and gold mining sectors of Ghana.
