ILO Launches GALAB Project to Combat Child Labour in DRC Cobalt Mining
The ILO has launched the GALAB Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, funded by the USDOL, to combat child labour in the cobalt mining sector. This initiative seeks to enhance remediation services for children identified through the CLMRS, with the ultimate goal of eliminating child labour from mining activities. Collaboration with various partners and strengthening accountability mechanisms are key components of this effort to safeguard children’s rights and improve mining practices.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has officially launched the GALAB Project to address child labour issues in the cobalt mining sector of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), builds on prior efforts aimed at improving remediation services for children identified through a Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation System (CLMRS). It aligns with broader goals to enhance accountability among both public and private entities, supporting the advancement of workers’ rights and decent working conditions along supply chains.
The DRC is a leading supplier of cobalt, an essential mineral utilized in electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. However, the cobalt extraction process is marred by significant ethical and safety challenges, particularly due to child labour prevalent in artisanal and small-scale mining. The GALAB Project’s overarching goal is to eliminate child labour from these operations entirely, aspiring towards a future where no children are engaged in mining activities.
Informed by findings from the previous COTECCO Project, the GALAB initiative will deploy various strategies focusing on child protection and enhancing accountability across the sector. Key objectives involve developing referral services for children identified as labourers while implementing the CLMRS, which has already registered over 6,200 minors involved in mining activities in the Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces. The project will partner with organizations such as UNICEF and IMPACT Transform to ensure effective remediation services that provide educational support and vocational training opportunities to affected children and their families.
Moreover, the GALAB Project aims to boost the skills of labour and mining inspectors to foster a transparent monitoring system for mining conditions and labour practices. It emphasizes collaboration with public and private sectors to introduce tools promoting ethical practices, alongside raising awareness about international labour standards concerning child labour elimination.
The initiative emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships to guarantee rigorous due diligence in mining operations. The project includes training programs for private sector actors about national legislation and international norms centered on responsible mining practices. Through advocacy and capacity-building, GALAB is poised to assist the DRC government in securing essential resources to combat child labour effectively.
Nteba Soumano, ILO Country Director for the region, remarked, “The GALAB project is a crucial step forward in our collective efforts to combat child labour in the DRC’s cobalt supply chain. By strengthening remediation services and engaging the private sector, we can make a real difference in the lives of children and their families and contribute to a more responsible and sustainable mining sector.”
The anticipated outcomes of the GALAB initiative include an increase in the number of remediation efforts for registered children and a decrease in child labor within both mining and artisanal mining sectors, along with enhanced accountability among all stakeholders involved.
The GALAB Project represents a critical intervention aimed at combating child labour specifically within the artisanal cobalt mining sector of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Given the DRC’s prominent position as a leading global supplier of cobalt, the necessity to address the ethical implications of child mining is paramount. The initiative builds upon earlier efforts like the COTECCO Project, which laid the foundation for addressing such challenges.
The GALAB Project is an essential step towards eradicating child labour from the DRC’s cobalt mining industry. By prioritizing comprehensive remediation services, stakeholder collaboration, and the strengthening of accountability mechanisms, the initiative aims to significantly improve the welfare of affected children and promote ethical mining practices. Continued commitment and efforts from both governmental and non-governmental entities are imperative for the success of this vital project.
Original Source: www.ilo.org
