“Specific Instance seeks remedy for alleged labour abuses in coffee supply chains-Brazilian NGO and union request mediation at Brazilian NCP with major coffee sellers Starbucks, Nestlé, Jacobs Douwe Egberts, and others”, 1 September 2018

On August 21, a specific instance was filed by the union ADERE-MG and the NGO Conectas Human Rights against Nestlé, Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, and Illy at the Brazilian NCP. The NCPs of the United States, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands have also been informed. The complaint concerns activities of coffee producers in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, which has been plagued by repeated cases of contemporary forms of slavery and other severe labor rights violations. The complainants allege that the named companies failed to properly address severe risks of modern slavery in their supply chains. The complainants seek mediation from the Brazilian NCP to achieve some form of remedy for the victims. The complainants also request the companies to elaborate, together with complainants and other stakeholders, a joint action plan to prevent future cases of modern slavery in the industry in the region. See more information on the case here.