In cocoa farming, labour arrangements are often informal and undocumented. Many workers are hired based on verbal agreements rather than written contracts. 

Promoting the use of formal employment contracts can help clarify roles, responsibilities, and working conditions, protecting workers’ rights and reducing their vulnerability to abuse. To encourage the use of written contracts, ICI has developed contract templates and witness checklists that can be used in the context of cocoa farming. 

This brief presents how to promote the use of written contracts in cocoa farming to prevent the risk of forced labour, drawing on our experience in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. 

Additional Resources