Ensure fair payment to cocoa farmers and their workers
Chocolate companies have to guarantee a living income for small-scale farmers in order to secure a decent living for themselves and their families in relation to the total cost of living in their respective country. Only if cocoa farmers will receive a decent income can they pay a living wage to the workers they hire. The average income of cocoa farmers and workers especially in West Africa is far below the level of absolute poverty which means living on 1,25 USD and less per day. The income must cover the basic needs of the earners and their families which include shelter, nutrition, drinking water, health care, education, child care, taxes and transportation amongst others. With regard to small-scale producers, such an income refers to a fair minimum price for their cocoa beans, enabling them to pay a living wage to their hired workers. Further, a fair payment prevents farmers from using child labour and allows parents to pay school related costs for their children.