In the early morning mist of Honduras' coffee-growing highlands, the future of entire communities is being shaped, not only by the beans they harvest, but by the safety and dignity of those who cultivate them. For decades, economic hardship and hazardous working conditions have forced many families to make an impossible choice: send their children to work or risk going hungry. But a new approach is taking hold, one that places occupational health and safety (OHS) at the heart of efforts to eliminate child labour.
A community united for safer work
From 23 to 26 September, the International Labour Organization (ILO), through the CLEAR Supply Chains project, convened 69 agronomists (24 women and 45 men) alongside producers, suppliers, and social compliance officers for a transformative workshop in the departments of Lempira and Comayagua. The event, "Practical approaches to improving safety, health, and working conditions in agriculture," was more than a training: it was a rallying point for the Honduran coffee sector's most committed actors.
Participants represented a diverse cross-section of the supply chain: seven cooperatives, one exporter (BONCAFE), four major Child Labour Platform (CLP) members (LDC, Nestlé, JDE Peet's, Tchibo), the European Union Delegation in Honduras, two employers' organizations (COHEP and ANACAFEH), the Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE), and the Mancomunidad COLOSUCA, a strategic partner of the project. Their shared goal: to empower local actors to identify risks and design practical, low-cost solutions using resources available within their communities.
© ILO/CLEAR Supply Chains project
The WIND of change
At the heart of the workshop was the WIND (Workplace Improvement in Neighbourhood Development) methodology, a participatory tool developed by the ILO. Rather than imposing top-down solutions, WIND encourages communities to analyse their own work environments, share experiences, and propose concrete improvements. From safer fuel storage to better use of protective equipment, the focus is on what can be achieved through local ingenuity and collective action.
Safe and healthy work environments for adults guarantee quality of life and stable incomes, which reduces the economic pressure that pushes children and adolescents to drop out of school to work.
Carlos Roberto Acuña, OSH specialist and WIND trainer.
The message resonated deeply with participants, many of whom have seen first-hand how unsafe conditions and low wages can drive families to desperate measures.
Real lives, real impact
Feedback from participants revealed a shift in mindset. Many shared that they had previously viewed accidents as an unavoidable part of farm life, but now recognize that small, practical changes can significantly improve safety for themselves and help protect their children's futures. Sessions at the COCABEL Cooperative in Belén and the CICAM Farm of the COHORSIL Cooperative in Siguatepeque provided space for open dialogue and hands-on learning.
© ILO/CLEAR Supply Chains project
The numbers speak for themselves: 69 participants, strong representation of women, and engagement from every link in the coffee supply chain. Their commitment is already bearing fruit, with new safety measures being implemented and a renewed determination to keep children in school.
© ILO/CLEAR Supply Chains project
© ILO/CLEAR Supply Chains project
Partnerships for lasting change
The CLEAR Supply Chains project is part of a broader global effort to eliminate child labour from supply chains. By strengthening the capacities of workers' organizations, employers, cooperatives, and small producers, the project promotes decent work and responsible sourcing. The involvement of private sector leaders such as Nestlé and Tchibo reflects a growing recognition that child labour is not only a social issue, it is a business imperative.
Investing in occupational safety and health is not only about improving productivity and protecting workers, it is a direct strategy for preventing child labour. When parents and guardians have safe and healthy jobs, with fair wages and social protection, the economic need to send their children to work decreases dramatically.
Karla Matamoros Rodríguez, National Coordinator of the CLEAR Supply Chains project.
Looking forward
As the coffee harvest approaches, the lessons from Belén and Siguatepeque are spreading across Honduras' coffee heartland. The ILO and its partners remain committed to supporting these communities, working towards a future where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.
