A "boost" in awareness is needed.

Sustainable development in the coffee industry today is no longer just about economic and environmental aspects, but also includes social factors such as gender equality, social welfare, and especially the reduction of child labor.

Coffee-growing regions in the Central Highlands are gradually complying with this regulation to ensure their coffee products meet export standards for international markets.

Currently, child labor in coffee production still persists, especially in ethnic minority areas due to difficult economic conditions, limited awareness of the harmful effects of child labor, and the lack of alternative solutions to create livelihoods for local people. This is a crucial issue affecting the sustainable development of Vietnam's coffee industry in the context of global economic integration.

Recognizing this issue, the business community has begun to take positive steps, especially after the strong impact of specialized intervention programs. For example, the "Raising Awareness to Reduce Child Labor in the Vietnamese Coffee Industry" program, implemented by Rainforest Alliance in collaboration with Vinh Hiep Co., Ltd. (Gia Lai province), Simexco DakLak (2-9 Dak Lak Import-Export Co., Ltd.), and other partners, is considered a significant boost in the coffee industry chain.

Scholarships are awarded to underprivileged students in the project area of ​​the program.

Participating in this program, Simexco DakLak and Vinh Hiep Co., Ltd. have pioneered the implementation of commitments to building raw material areas free from child labor through concrete actions. One of the key activities is organizing training courses on coffee cultivation techniques and livelihood models for farmers, benefiting 1,900 people; thereby promoting gender equality, improving children's learning effectiveness and employment opportunities for young people… At the same time, they support the establishment of child protection groups at the village level to address potential child-related issues in the locality, such as children dropping out of school, child abuse, and violence…

According to Mr. Duong Van Thanh, Head of Sustainable Development Department (Vinh Hiep Co., Ltd.), the company has collaborated with organizations and agencies to develop programs to reduce child labor, raise awareness, and provide training to improve livelihoods for coffee growers. Simultaneously, it operates a monitoring and reporting system and child protection groups. After nearly three years of implementation (April 2022 – December 2024), the program has achieved positive results, contributing to raising community awareness about children's rights and child labor, and reducing child labor in the locality.

Mr. Tran Van No (Ea Tan commune, Krong Nang district) said that he had previously participated in many sustainable coffee farming programs, but this was the first time his family had been introduced to the concept of child labor and limiting child labor in the coffee industry. Thanks to this, he recognized the importance of this issue and actively encouraged his neighbors to participate in the program to raise awareness and better meet the requirements of sustainable coffee development.

For example, Mr. Ma Van Nghia, Head of Buon Det village (Ea Tan commune, Krong Nang district), is a member of the village-level child protection team. He has helped identify cases of disadvantaged children, those who have dropped out of school, and those at risk of child labor, and connected them with programs to receive vocational training support, contributing to reducing child labor in the community.

Compared to other sectors and countries around the world, child labor in agriculture in Vietnam is much lower, with a rate of child labor below 7%. However, this situation still exists and needs to be eradicated.

According to Mr. Do Ngoc Sy, Director of Sustainable Development for Asia-Pacific at JDE Peet's, consumers are increasingly demanding higher standards, including the absence of child labor. When JDE Peet's purchases coffee from Simexco DakLak or Vinh Hiep Co., Ltd., these companies must commit to producing coffee beans without child labor. This not only helps businesses enhance their reputation and brand value but also contributes to building a sustainable and responsible Vietnamese coffee industry.

Children from disadvantaged families in the project area were given bicycles.

Nevertheless, reducing child labor in the coffee industry remains challenging, particularly in raising awareness to mitigate child labor, especially given the industry's frequent labor shortages during peak seasons. Furthermore, the lack of specific support mechanisms to scale up the program is also a significant obstacle.

Simexco DakLak Deputy General Director Nguyen Tien Dung stated that Vietnam not only produces delicious coffee but also demonstrates to the world its ability to meet regulations and standards in coffee production, helping people change their mindset and become more responsible towards the environment, the community, and children in their families. However, to achieve this goal sustainably, stronger cooperation from many parties is needed.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thiet, Country Director of Rainforest Alliance Vietnam, suggested that local authorities at all levels should effectively implement existing policies to support awareness raising and poverty reduction, especially in ethnic minority areas with limited land. For areas with monoculture coffee farming, a shift to an agroforestry model is recommended to diversify income. Households with less than 1 hectare of coffee plantations should research and develop new occupations such as livestock farming and services to avoid dependence on coffee and seasonal labor. Companies participating in certification should establish an assessment and evaluation (A&A) system to manage child labor and domestic violence.

After nearly three years of implementation (April 2022 – December 2024), the program "Raising awareness to reduce child labor in the coffee industry in Vietnam" has established 34 children's clubs with 519 participants; supported vocational training for 45 children (aged 14-18); donated 400 sets of textbooks, established two mobile libraries; provided summer tutoring for 324 children; and established 37 child rights protection groups with 154 members…

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202506/noi-khong-voi-lao-dong-tre-em-trong-nganh-hang-ca-phe-can-cu-hich-ve-nhan-thuc-c790aec/