Photo Exhibition
This thought-provoking collection of photos offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of coffee workers in Brazil, Vietnam, and Uganda. Each snapshot captures authentic moments from the coffee supply chain, from a man proudly displaying his personal protective equipment in Lam Dong to women engaging in conversation while working at a coffee processing factory in Bukomansimbi. Together, these images reveal the human stories behind every cup of coffee we enjoy and highlight the importance of ensuring their right to a safe and healthy working environment.
We encourage you to explore these stories and let them inspire you to take action. Join the ILO’s Vision Zero Fund in our mission to achieve zero severe or fatal work-related accidents, injuries, and diseases by following us on LinkedIn or bookmarking our official website, vzf.ilo.org.
Photo credit: Massimiliano Leone
Empowering generations
A farmer guides a young apprentice in cleaning and filtering coffee beans at a cooperative processing unit in Bukomansimbi, Uganda.
Wearing protective equipment during harvest
Vu Hoang Anh, a coffee farmer, collects coffee cherries in an oversized sack, wearing a hat and a mask to protect against dust, pollen, and other airborne particles.
Conversation at home in Lam Dong
Coffee farmer Vu Hoang Anh and radio host Thai Manh Thang share freshly-brewed coffee during the documentary film shooting at Vu’s home, nestled in leafy coffee fields.
Farmer in motion
A coffee worker navigates the winding paths through the coffee fields of Lam Dong province on his scooter, a common sight in Viet Nam.
Dressed for safety at work
A coffee worker in Lam Dong province wears a balaclava for protection against dust, sun, insects, and the elements while tending to his tools at work.
Passing through the coffee fields
Two people navigate the dirt roads of Lam Dong province on a scooter. The iconic nón lá hat, commonly worn by farmers tending to crops in Viet Nam, hangs off the front.
Navigating the harvest
At the entrance of a coffee farm in Tres Pontas, Brazil, directional signs guide workers to various blocks, including production, processing, and harvesting areas.
Hands-on quality control
In the Minas Gerais state of Brazil, a coffee worker inspects coffee leaves on the plantation, following the conclusion of the harvest season.
From cloth to sack
Inside the coffee factory in the Bukomansimbi district of Uganda, a worker transfers coffee beans from a cloth into a large coffee sack, completing the first step in the processing journey.
Beyond the beans
Amidst the picturesque landscape of Bukomansimbi, farm owner Jane tends to the fields, ensuring the health and vitality of her coffee crops.
Stepping into the problem
In the rugged terrain of the Bukomansimbi coffee plantation, a worker dressed in jeans, a shirt, and slippers reminds us of the importance of safety gear.
Portrait of Jane
Jane, a coffee farm owner in Uganda, surveys the land. Her expression captures the complexity of daily life in the coffee fields, conveying hints of hardship and hope.
Coffee workers at rest
A group of coffee workers take a break from tilling the soil, contemplating the challenges they confront in their demanding work environment.
Matoke in the making
Banana leaves, freshly plucked from the plantation, envelop the bananas in a steaming pot, infusing the dish with flavors that speak of shared experiences and belonging.
Composting coffee leaves
Vu Hoang Anh, a farmer, moves coffee leaves to a compost pile, where they will decompose along with other organic materials.
Surveying the Lam Dong landscape
A worker in Lam Dong Province, Viet Nam, surveys the landscape. Equipped with personal protective gear, he wears mid-calf rain boots to shield his feet from moisture and mud, along with a long skirt that provides additional protection for his legs.
Hues of innocence
In the heart of Brazil’s Minas Gerais region, a child stands by the window of a colorful coffee worker’s home.
Embracing the essence
In Tres Pontas, Brazil, a coffee worker examines the coffee beans in a sack, sensing their texture and aroma as they rest and dry, ready for the transformative journey of roasting.
Empowering voices
In Belo Horizonte, Brazil, a participant presents collective strategies to enhance the safety and health of coffee workers during one of the campaign localization workshops.
Brazil’s brews
A coffee shop menu displaying a wide selection of offerings embodies Brazil’s deep-rooted affinity for coffee. Today, Brazil is the world’s largest producer and second-largest consumer of coffee.
Influencing change
Bela Gil, renowned cuisine expert and TV presenter, played a pivotal role as an influencer in the #CoffeePeople campaign. Her active involvement extended to the production of the documentary “From Beans to Brew.”
In the heart of coffee culture
In Kibinge, Uganda, a coffee worker air-dries coffee beans in the open, surrounded by sacks of freshly-picked coffee.
TOGETHER FOR #COFFEEPEOPLE
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