• Targets labour risks affecting 20–25 million coffee-dependent households, with a focus on migrant and seasonal workers
• Aligns corporate sourcing with global labour standards through ILO-led policy dialogue and intervention frameworks
• Reinforces Nestlé’s Nescafé Plan and ILO programmes, linking private sector action with global governance initiatives

Nestlé and the International Labour Organization have launched a new two-year initiative aimed at addressing persistent labour risks across coffee supply chains in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, three of the world’s most critical coffee producing economies.

The programme, titled From Fair Recruitment To Worker Protection In Coffee Supply Chains, expands a long-standing collaboration between the two institutions and places labour governance at the centre of sustainable sourcing strategies.

Targeting Structural Labour Risks

Coffee production remains a cornerstone of rural economies, supporting an estimated 20 to 25 million families globally. Yet the sector continues to face entrenched labour challenges, particularly among migrant and seasonal workers who often operate outside formal protections.

Dan Rees, Director, ILO Priority Action Programme on Decent Work in Supply Chains, said: “Coffee production sustains the livelihoods of approximately 20–25 million families worldwide, generating vital income and employment. However, decent work deficits in coffee supply chains persist, particularly among seasonal and migrant workers. Through this project, we aim to advance labour rights and promote decent work and contribute to more sustainable supply chains.”

The initiative will focus on identifying the root causes of these deficits through structured engagement with governments, employers, and worker representatives. The ILO will lead this process, leveraging its convening authority to facilitate social dialogue and align national-level policies with international labour standards.

Linking Corporate Strategy With Global Governance

At the core of the project is a dual-track approach that combines country-level interventions with global knowledge sharing. Insights gathered in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico will inform broader frameworks applicable across the coffee sector, creating a feedback loop between local implementation and international policy development.

For Nestlé, the initiative strengthens its ongoing efforts to integrate human rights considerations into its supply chains, particularly through its Nescafé Plan, the company’s flagship sustainability programme for coffee.

Antje Shaw, Head of Sustainability for Coffee at Nestlé, said: “Our partnership with the ILO represents a significant step to advancing and promoting human rights in coffee supply chains. By working together, we can progress faster in creating more resilient and inclusive coffee value chains, where workers are treated with dignity.“

The project also aligns with the ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative and the Safety + Health for All programme, including the Vision Zero Fund. These frameworks aim to embed fair recruitment practices and safe working conditions into global supply chains, linking corporate action with multilateral governance priorities.

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Financial And Operational Implications

For executives and investors, the initiative highlights a growing convergence between ESG commitments and operational risk management. Labour practices in agricultural supply chains are increasingly scrutinised by regulators, investors, and consumers, particularly in jurisdictions advancing due diligence requirements on human rights.

By proactively addressing labour risks in key sourcing regions, companies can mitigate exposure to reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and supply disruptions. At the same time, aligning with ILO frameworks offers a credible pathway to demonstrate compliance with emerging global standards.

The focus on fair recruitment is particularly significant. Recruitment-related abuses remain a primary entry point for labour exploitation, especially among migrant workers. Addressing these risks at source can improve workforce stability, productivity, and long-term supply resilience.

What Leaders Should Take Away

This initiative reflects a broader shift in how sustainability is operationalised within global value chains. Labour rights are no longer treated as peripheral compliance issues but as central to business continuity and long-term value creation.

The collaboration between a multinational corporation and a UN agency illustrates how public and private actors are increasingly co-developing solutions to systemic ESG challenges. It also signals that future competitiveness in commodity markets like coffee will depend not only on yield and price, but on demonstrable adherence to social standards.

As regulatory frameworks tighten and stakeholder expectations rise, similar partnerships are likely to expand across other agricultural sectors. For leaders, the message is clear: embedding labour governance into sourcing strategies is becoming a baseline requirement, not a differentiator.

In a sector that supports millions of livelihoods, the stakes extend well beyond compliance. The outcomes of this project will shape how labour rights are integrated into global coffee supply chains and may set a precedent for responsible sourcing models worldwide.

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