Client / Partner
McCormick U.S.A.
Sector & Geography
Agriculture | Red Pepper, India
Engagement Focus
Women empowerment, migrant labour risks, human rights assessment
As part of its commitment to responsible sourcing, McCormick U.S.A. commissioned a midline study to assess progress since the 2021 baseline using the Women’s Empowerment Framework (MWEF). The assessment focused on identifying ongoing risks and validating supplier-led initiatives in the red pepper supply chain.
1
Deploy the MWEF and Farmer Resiliency Modules
2
Identify potential human rights risks, including migrant and child labour
3
Review supplier initiatives implemented after the MWEF 1.0 findings
IRFT applied participatory feedback tools and the Farmer Resiliency Modules to evaluate changes since the baseline. The assessment included interviews, field observations, and validation of supplier interventions, with particular attention to seasonal labour dynamics.
1
Midline assessment using MWEF tools
2
Stakeholder interviews with farmers and workers
3
Review of supplier-led corrective actions
4
Identification of emerging livelihood risks
OUR IMPACT
The assessment identified migrant labour as a critical livelihood risk. Tribal families from Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, were found to migrate seasonally to chilli-growing regions due to limited local employment. Workers were paid approximately INR 300 per day—below minimum wage—with no formal records of working hours or employment terms.
The findings highlighted heightened vulnerability to exploitation and underscored the need for stronger labour protections, record-keeping, and rights awareness.
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