In February 2013, Intl. Labor Rights Forum released a report raising concerns about respect for workers' rights, including freedom of association, at IMO-certified Theo Chocolate.  The report claims that IMO, an international certification body, failed to follow through with its commitment to workers' rights by upholding Theo Chocolate's Fair For Life certification despite the company's alleged anti-union activities.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited IMO and Theo Chocolate to respond to the concerns raised in the following items:

• [PDF] "Aiding and Abetting: How Unaccountable Fair Trade Certifiers Are Destroying Workers’ Rights", Intl. Labor Rights Forum, 11 Feb 2013
• "New Report Documents How Fair Trade Certifier is Destroying Workers’ Rights", Intl. Labor Rights Forum, 11 Feb 2013
• “Theo Chocolate Disputes 'Union-Busting' Allegations In Recently Published ILRF Report”, Matt Driscoll, Seattle Weekly, 13 Feb 2013
• "Securing Fair Trade: A Response to Theo Chocolate”, Judy Gearhart, Intl. Labor Rights Forum, 14 Feb 2013

Responses:

• [PDF] IMO response
• [PDF] Theo Chocolate response