Investors Support Senate Efforts to Eliminate
Child and Forced Labor in Agriculture

NEW YORK, NY//April 1, 2008///Iowa Senator Tom Harkin is the author of an important section in the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 that passed the Senate in December of last year. Section 3105, known as the Voluntary Certification of Child Labor Status of Agricultural Imports, requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, to develop a standard set of practices for Ag commodities that are imported, sold, or marketed in the U.S., to reduce the likelihood that they are made with forced or child labor.  The House passed a version of the Act minus Harkin’s proposal.  If the House and Senate can reach agreement to include Section 3105, a voluntary certification program will be established to enforce the standards. The new requirements include:

• Requiring traceability and inspection at all stages of the agricultural supply chain
• Allowing for multi-stakeholder participation in the certification process
• Providing for annual onsite inspection by a certifying agent of each affected worksite and handling operation
• Incorporating a comprehensive conflict of interest policy for certifying agents
• Providing an anonymous grievance procedure to protect whistleblowers

In 2009, the US Department of Labor (DOL) will publish a list of goods exported by countries suspected of using forced labor and child labor.   Harkin’s process offers companies appearing on the DOL list a voluntary method by which they can certify that their products are child labor- and forced labor-free.  

Big agribusiness is already moving against this important provision.  Senator Harkin stands behind Section 3105 and would appreciate receiving letters of support from groups working to eliminate child and forced labor—including investors, consumers, human rights and labor rights groups, as well as concerned individuals. ICCR has written a letter in support of Senator Harkin. To read ICCR's letter, click here.

Action Needed: Concerned investors and individuals can fax letters of support to Senator Tom Harkin’s Office by the end of day Friday, April 4, 2008.

Email your letter on letterhead (adapting the sample letter) in a pdf file to:  Rosemary_Gutierrez@harkin.senate.gov  or fax to 202-228-4576.