For this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Nestlé Corporation decided to highlight its status as the world’s foremost employer of disabled children. The multinational food and drink corporation’s complex supply chain begins with cocoa beans harvested in West Africa. The cocoa bean farms frequently employ children, many of whom are disabled.
“Without Nestlé’s generous commitment to diversity equity and inclusion“ said an anonymous disabled child on a cacao farm in the Ivory Coast, reading off a cue card. “I wouldn’t have anywhere to work. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
October is the month for recognizing the contributions of disabled people to the workforce, and it is important to acknowledge all disabled people, regardless of age. Disabled children often get overlooked during NDEAM and Nestlé wants to challenge that ageism.
“Some critics may call it exploitation or even slavery,” read Nestlé’s most recent press release. “Our company prefers to think of it as providing work opportunities to underserved communities.”
Nestlé concluded the press release with a pledge to expand their efforts to capitalize on the full economic potential of disabled child labor. The children were unavailable for more comment, as they were too busy working.