Fatshimetrie, October 9, 2024 – A crucial dialogue was held in Kolwezi, in the heart of Lualaba province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, addressing the delicate issue of remediation of child labor in mines, during a workshop organized as part of the project “Combating Child Labor in Cobalt Supply Chains (Coteco)”.
Nõmbana Razafinisoa, Coteco Project Manager, expressed her gratitude for this intense day of discussions and exchanges, which resulted in the production of essential documents: the minutes and the framework of the advocacy letter aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation System, as well as the remediation of children working in mineral supply chains.
The call for reflection launched to the participants aimed to establish effective mechanisms to comprehensively combat child labour in mines, while ensuring the sustainability of the actions undertaken by the International Labour Organization (ILO) through this anti-child labour project.
Nõmbana Razafinisoa highlighted the ILO’s commitment to supporting the implementation of this advocacy, by offering avenues of collaboration to support the country in setting up effective mechanisms.
This workshop brought together representatives of mining companies and cooperatives, public administration officials, as well as development partners from the provinces of Lualaba and Haut-Katanga. The objective was to present the actions carried out by the various stakeholders in the fight against child labour in the mining sector to the new provincial and national authorities.
This initiative highlights the critical importance of collaboration and concerted action to eliminate the scourge of child labor in mines, underlining the commitment of all stakeholders to work together for a better future for children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The fight against child labor in mines is a long-term battle, but initiatives like this demonstrate the commitment and determination to create a world where every child can grow up in dignity and safety, free from the dangers and abuses of early labor.