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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.
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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
Rainforest Alliance Certified Bananas
Over the years we’ve worked with most of the world’s biggest companies to improve their banana supply chains, trained farmers in more sustainable growing methods, and built partnerships with local communities, NGOs, and scientists committed to changing the industry.[Read more...]
Media Coverage
Amazon rainforest facing most devastating fires ever seen
Experts believe this year’s Amazon rainforest fires could be the worst yet, after deforestation rose 17% on 2020.
Topics: Amazon Basin
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.[Read more...]
Topics: Insights
Annual Report
2020 Annual Report: We Thrive Together
Explore our achievements and discover what gave us energy and hope in 2020—a year unlike any other.[Read more...]
Topics: ImpactsIn the Field
Impact Study
Tackling the Root Causes of Child Labor: Insights from the Child Labor Free Zone Program in West Nile, Uganda
Between 2014 and 2020 a consortium of organizations, including Rainforest Alliance, implemented a “Child Labor Free Zone” (CLFZ) program in the West Nile province of Uganda. This is a coffee growing
View: Tackling the Root Causes of Child Labor: Insights from the Child Labor Free Zone Program in West Nile, Uganda
Media Coverage
Worsening situation in Amazon a ‘warning to humanity’
Emmanuelle Berenger, lead sustainable forest manager for the Rainforest Alliance, stated that preserving forests for humanity’s well-being is not an option anymore, rather it is a must.
