THE DARK SIDE OF COBALT: CHILD LABOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Initiatives to Combat Child Labor

In response to this grave violation of children’s rights, projects funded by international organizations have sought to address the issue.

For instance, the African Development Bank implemented the Cobalt Child and Youth Well-Being Support Project (PABEA-Cobalt), aiming to remove children from mines, reintegrate them into the education system, and provide economic alternatives for their families.

Organizations have introduced initiatives to combat child labor in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo

1. Unicef
   Unicef works to protect children’s rights in the DRC by promoting access to education, creating alternatives to child labor, and raising community awareness of the risks and impacts of mining work.
2. International Labour Organization (ILO)
   The ILO implements specific programs to eradicate child labor, including its worst forms, such as artisanal mining, and supports public policies to protect children.
3. Fair Cobalt Alliance (FCA)
   This alliance brings together companies, NGOs, and investors committed to creating safer and more sustainable working conditions in artisanal and small-scale cobalt mining, focusing on reducing child labor.
4. Amnesty International
   The organization monitors and reports human rights violations in the cobalt supply chain, including child labor. Amnesty also pressures global companies to adopt responsible and sustainable practices.
5. PACT
   PACT is a global NGO working with local communities to address child labor issues in artisanal mining by providing education, vocational training, and economic alternatives.
6. World Vision
   World Vision implements projects to combat poverty and strengthen access to education in the DRC, addressing one of the root causes of child labor in mines.
7. Save the Children
   Save the Children protects children from exploitation and promotes projects that encourage education and social support in communities affected by mining.

Responsibility of Tech Companies

Major technology companies have been pressured to ensure their supply chains are free from child labor and other human rights violations.

Amnesty International emphasizes the importance of an energy transition that does not compromise the lives of communities in the DRC, urging companies to adopt responsible practices for sourcing raw materials.

Challenges and Future Perspectives

Despite efforts, eradicating child labor and human rights violations in the cobalt mines of the DRC remains a complex challenges.

For Jethro’s Civil Diplomats living in the region, other factors such as extreme poverty, lack of access to education, and weak governance contribute to the persistence of these practices.

It is crucial for governments, international organizations, and companies to collaborate in implementing effective policies that protect children’s rights and promote viable economic alternatives for Congolese families.