World Vision Mexico and Stronger Together collaborate to promote Human Rights Due Diligence in the Agricultural Export Sector in Mexico.
At the heart of efforts to promote transparency, sustainability and social justice in global supply chains, World Vision Mexico and Stronger Together are collaborating in Mexico to promote human rights due diligence in the agricultural export sector in the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco, in the framework of the “Harvesting Labour Rights” project funded by the Government of Canada, focused on compliance with the Canadian Act to Combat Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains.
A Context of Challenges and Opportunities
Mexico’s agricultural export sector plays a crucial role in the national economy and international food supply with the highest surplus in the agri-food trade balance in the last 30 years of 7,434 million dollars[1] . However, it also faces significant challenges related to fair labour conditions, human rights protection and environmental sustainability. In an increasingly connected world, consumer expectations and international regulations, such as Canada’s, require agribusinesses to meet higher standards of transparency through responsible business conduct towards their workers, their communities and the environment.
Our partnership
The collaboration between Stronger Together and World Vision Mexico seeks to strengthen the capacities of Mexican agribusinesses for the next 6 months to implement good human rights due diligence practices to comply with their annual transparency reports required by Canadian law. This includes the identification, prevention and mitigation of risks related to child labour, forced labour and other forms of hidden labour exploitation involving the supply chain through its key actors such as buyers, exporters, agricultural production companies and their labour intermediaries.
Both organisations bring complementary experiences to this collaboration. Stronger Together, with its focus on combating forced labour and hidden labour exploitation and promoting labour rights and fair conditions, offers practical tools and training designed for businesses. World Vision Mexico, recognised for its work in community development and child protection, brings a perspective focused on human rights and the well-being of communities.
Key Activities and Expected Results
- Hybrid trainings: 12 virtual and face-to-face hybrid training sessions have been designed for agricultural companies in Sinaloa and Jalisco, focused on understanding and applying the due diligence continuum in their daily operations. These trainings include specific modules on the 6 steps of human rights due diligence to identify, mitigate and prevent risks related to forced labour, child labour and hidden labour exploitation within their agricultural supply chains.
- Assessment Tools and Materials: Stronger Together provides tools for agribusinesses to identify risks in their supply chains and develop effective strategies to address them, through its Toolkit for responsible recruitment and fair labour in the agricultural sector in Mexico (free download here) and its responsible recruitment checklist (free download here) with 48 self-assessment steps for agribusinesses and their labour supply chain.
- Promotion of Leading Practices from the agricultural sector: Sharing examples of leading practices from business associations to encourage the practical and scalable implementation of sustainable and responsible models across the agricultural sector in Mexico.
A Promising Future
The partnership between Stronger Together and World Vision Mexico demonstrates that strategic collaboration can generate effective solutions to complex problems. At a time when supply chains face increasing verification, this joint effort with the Government of Canada accompanies agricultural companies in adopting higher labour rights standards, strengthening international regulatory compliance and boosting their competitiveness and reputation in the global marketplace.
We are proud to have the participation of agricultural organisations and companies whose experience and commitment will enrich this process that will benefit everyone involved, from farm workers, their communities and families, to consumers in Canada and other countries where Mexico exports agricultural products. For this reason, we are grateful for the participation of Eleven Rivers-Veggies from Mexico, Agricola Belher, Agricola Don Memo, Agrosabino, Divemex, International Green House Produce, Pimientos Selectos S.A. de C.V. and Campaña Agricultores.
More information about our work on our websites and social media
[1] GCMA. National Agrifood Balance. September 2024: https://gcma.com.mx/reportes/comercio-exterior/balanza-nacional/
Categorised in: Mexico, Collaboration and Partnerships
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