HRDD with Real Results Through Childcare Support and Dignified Living Conditions for India’s Sugarcane Sector

Each year, thousands of migrant families in India endure an exhausting journey to work on sugarcane plantations. Travelling hundreds of kilometres in the back of overcrowded trucks, they face sixteen-hour trips over dangerous roads. This migration is not a simple choice but a necessity for survival.

The hardship does not end upon arrival. Typically, there is no support given to ensure a safe and comfortable stay for these workers and their children. As they often come from marginalised tribal communities or the lowest-ranking castes, sugarcane harvesting workers are frequently overlooked by plantation owners, traders, and other local stakeholders.

Most families live in makeshift tents made of thin plastic sheets, which offer almost no protection from freezing nights or the intense afternoon sun. Because these shelters lack doors or locks, they do not provide a secure environment for children, leaving them vulnerable to risks of gender-based violence and abuse. As a result, many parents feel forced to bring their children into the fields, where they are exposed to sharp tools, chemicals, extreme heat, lack of toilets and heavy labour. This situation poses significant child labour and human rights risks that require companies to scrutinise their supply chains and protect those at the very bottom. So what is being done to address these issues?

A child under a make-shift shade while waiting for their parents to finish work

Since 2025, Nestlé and its supplier have been collaborating with The Centre to strengthen human rights in its operations in the sugarcane supply chain. Following a detailed human rights risk assessment, the most urgent needs were identified, and a clear plan of action was created. The focus is on three main areas: providing dignified housing, creating shaded rest areas and building safe spaces for children.

A follow-up visit in December showed that this organised approach is already delivering real results. New projects are replacing unsafe shelters with common living areas that include electricity, clean water and gender-segregated toilets. This shift provides families with the security and dignity they deserve, helping to eliminate the dangers that have affected migrant workers for years.

A new temporary structure to provide shade in the field

To combat the extreme weather, temporary shade structures have also been set up near the fields. These areas give workers, especially women and children, a place to rest and recover from the heat during breaks.

Construction of living facilities

The housing area now has a dedicated washroom for females

Perhaps most importantly, the project is working to keep children safe and cared for. Instead of being exposed to the hazards of the harvest, children now have access to a dedicated Child-Friendly Space. This safe space is located away from the work zones, equipped with toys and learning materials, and can host up to 30 children. It allows them to learn and play under supervision while their parents work, effectively breaking the cycle of child labour in the fields.

The launch of this space is a historic milestone: it is the first-ever Child-Friendly Space specifically for sugarcane harvesting workers. For a group that has been historically overlooked by social support systems, this initiative is more than just a facility. The Child-Friendly Space is a life-changing development that brings dignity and protection to the most vulnerable families in the sugarcane supply chain.

Children at the Child-Friendly Space

By investing in these facilities and ensuring access to basic needs like clean water, the brand and its supplier are finally making the safety of migrant families a top priority. To keep this momentum going, The Centre will continue to monitor the sites and listen to worker feedback. This ongoing support ensures that these improvements remain effective and responsive to the needs of families throughout the entire harvest season.