Zone Rouge, unveiled the drama of the army of children working in African mines to extract mica, used in many electronic products.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousThere are thousands, they are children, they are an army of small invisible workers busy from morning to night in mines in Madagascar to extract mica, mineral used in many cosmetic products and in the electronic and automotive world.
They work to exhaustion, in dangerous conditions, trapped in a cycle of poverty that leaves no way out, where the child labor it is the norm, where families need the help of everyone, young and old, to survive. Otherwise you will starve.
No access to treatment, no clean water, no school, these children's lives revolve exclusively around the mica fragments buried in mines located in southern Madagascar, Africa. The largest exporter in the world.
Minerals from Africa then move on to Asia, where they are used in the production of millions of electronic products and household appliances destined for America and Europe. The collection of the mineral is paid very little by the local entrepreneurs, who in turn are paid little by the exporters, often Chinese, but its price rises almost 500 times as soon as it leaves the coast of Madagascar.
An alarming situation according to NBC News, which accompanied the volunteers of the Terre des Hommes association, authors of an important report on child labor in the mines of Madagascar, in these areas. Report thanks to which it was discovered that at least 10.000 children work in the mica sector, that many of them suffer from back pain and headaches due to the lack of water and oxygen in the mines. Children who justify this work often considering them normal because there is no alternative if you want to eat. Whole families with no choice.
NBC News met with one of the country's top 5 mica exporters, Tri-H, during the expedition, who agreed to speak to reporters, claiming that they are aware that children work in the mines but that they are not. guilty, accusing the parents:
“It's not our problem. It's not our fault. It's the children's parents' fault. "
The company also blamed Chinese importers for the low pay of mica miners. It further stated that Chinese companies process the mineral fragments into components that end up in products sold by companies such as Panasonic, Electrolock and CRRC.
When asked about child labor, companies like Panasonic said they were unaware of it and were absolutely against it as supply chain guidelines "expressly prohibit the use of child labor and require suppliers to treat all workers. with dignity and respect. Violations of our procurement policy are not tolerated. "
In the meantime, Terres des Hommes, committed in the area, has invited companies to take responsibility for the origin of the materials, making sure that they are purchased responsibly from the mines of Madagascar, boycotting those who exploit children.
It is clear that in situations of such poverty the parents of these children are themselves victims of a desperate condition, but the companies do not, both those that export and those that buy the products, cannot and must not close their eyes, but do everything possible to avoid this invisible exploitation.
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Laura Rose
Photo Credit: nbcnews
