Tackling the root causes of child labour in India spices supply chains

About this project

Over 10 million children aged between 5 and 14 years old are engaged in labour in India, the majority of the children work in the agriculture sector. Child labour, especially in its most harmful forms, affects children’s school attendance, health, physical and mental development, thus hindering their life chances. Recent assessments have raised concerns about the incidence of child labour in the spices sub-sector in India, notably in light of the seasonal needs for flexible workforce. The proposed action will contribute to building a strong understanding of and effectively tackling the underlying root causes of child labour in the spices sub-sector in India.Project A will enable to better comprehend the magnitude and modalities in which child labour might take place in Olam’s supply chain of chili and cumin supply chain, and its impact on children’s health, development and education. Project partners will also strive to apprehend the internal and external dynamics leading to or facilitating child labour in the spices sector, including potential combinations and/or interdependences between these factors.For project B, the four areas of work are currently being considered (to be confirmed after project A) including:1) Improving access to safe spaces and support services for at-risk girls and boys; 2) Working with caregivers, farmers and communities to address harmful socio-cultural norms; 3) Providing farming families with opportunities for enhanced livelihoods, thus tackling…

Published by

Netherlands Enterprise Agency · Government

Countries

India

Sectors

Human rightsFood crop production

Funded by

Netherlands Enterprise Agency

Implemented by

Olam Agro India Private Limited, Olam Europe B.V., ChildFund India, Stichting IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative

Accountable

Netherlands Enterprise Agency

Published by Netherlands Enterprise Agency to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), last updated 17 Aug 2026 and imported automatically. IATI identifier: NL-KVK-27378529-FBK21S05AB.

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