This Fairtrade study compares two types of systems to prevent and address child labour: Fairtrade International’s signature Youth-Inclusive Community-Based Monitoring and Remediation (YICBMR) system and Internal Control Systems (ICS) in four countries.
The report summarizes the participants' perspectives of and experiences with the two systems according to criteria. While ICS was found to be effective at monitoring child labour on farms, YICBMR was seen as better at remediation, addressing wider risks, embedding child rights, building communities’ ownership of child welfare, and strengthening local and national child protection systems. Overall this results in YICBMR scoring best on most OECD criteria. The study raises questions with regard to financial sustainability and related efficiency in maintaining the YICBMR system, and highlights the need for everyone in the supply chain to play a role in supporting such systems.
The report makes recommendations for producer organizations regarding implementation of monitoring and remediation systems, and for Fairtrade related to advocating for additional investment, especially in remediation of child labour cases; to expand decent youth employment opportunities; and to continue including young people in defining problems and solutions.
