SABMiller creates educational opportunities in Honduras
SABMiller, one of the world’s leading brewers, is providing an education for children of sugar cane workers in Honduras.Cerveceria Hondurena, SABMiller’s Honduran subsidiary, set up the ‘Azunosa’ school with the aim of trying to ensure that the sugarcane fields which supply its soft drinks operation are not worked in by under 18 year olds.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) states that sugar cane harvesting is hazardous and is not suitable for people under 18 years old. In some parts of the developing world there is a tradition of youths working alongside their families during the sugar cane harvest.
The Azunosa school currently has 80 students and provides them with an education until the school-leaving age of 16, students are then encouraged to continue their studies in high school and beyond.
Barry Smith, President of SABMiller Latin America said: “We believe that companies have a responsibility to respect and promote human rights, and ensuring that children do not miss educational opportunities and still have time to have fun, is obviously part of this.”.
