The ILO has launched the GALAB Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, funded by USDOL, to combat child labor in cobalt mining. Aiming to strengthen remediation services for children identified in the CLMRS, the project builds on previous efforts and strives for ‘zero children in the mining sector’ by enhancing government capacity and public-private partnerships while providing support services for children and families.
On November 20, 2024, the International Labour Organization (ILO) announced the launch of the GALAB Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), aimed at tackling child labor in the cobalt mining sector. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, this initiative builds upon prior efforts to establish remediation services for children identified through the Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation System (CLMRS). The GALAB project directly supports the objectives of the previous COTECCO Project, which focused on combating child labor in cobalt mining.
The DRC is a significant supplier of cobalt, vital for technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy, yet it grapples with serious issues of child labor in its artisanal and small-scale mining sectors. As over 100,000 miners work under hazardous conditions, the GALAB project aims to enhance the capacity of the Congolese government and various stakeholders to eliminate child labor. Its vision is to achieve “zero children in the mining sector.”
The GALAB initiative plans to implement various actions for child protection and to promote accountability throughout the sector. Central to its strategy will be the development of referral and remediation services for children engaged in labor within the cobalt supply chain. As part of this effort, the CLMRS has registered over 6,200 children involved in mining activities in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces, reflecting the urgent need for intervention.
Collaborating with organizations like UNICEF, IMPACT Transform, and the PABEA-Cobalt initiative, the GALAB project will facilitate the referral of identified children to appropriate remediation services, including educational support and vocational training for older youth. Additionally, it aims to assist parents in securing stable income opportunities to gradually eradicate dependence on child labor in mining.
The project will also focus on strengthening the capabilities of labor and mining inspectors to create a collaborative environmental monitoring system that upholds ethical labor practices. Through partnerships across public and private sectors, it aims to promote awareness of international labor standards and the necessity of mitigating child labor in the mining industry.
Commitment to fostering strong public-private partnerships is a hallmark of the GALAB project, which emphasizes the necessity of responsible practices in mining operations. Key activities include training private sector players on national regulations and international labor standards, thereby ensuring responsible corporate behavior. Furthermore, the GALAB initiative will advocate for increased government resources dedicated to combating child labor in the sector.
Nteba Soumano, ILO Country Director for Angola, Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, DRC, and Chad, emphasized the project’s significance in preserving children’s rights within cobalt mining: “The GALAB project is a crucial step forward in our collective efforts to combat child labor in the DRC’s cobalt supply chain.”
Overall, the GALAB project aims to significantly increase remediation initiatives for children identified by the CLMRS, reduce child labor in mining sectors, enhance accountability in both public and private realms, and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders to uphold fundamental rights and principles at work.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is recognized as the leading supplier of cobalt, an essential mineral for modern technologies that support sustainable energy goals, such as electric vehicles. However, child labor remains a profound issue in the country’s artisanal and small-scale cobalt mining sectors. Previous initiatives, like the COTECCO Project, have laid foundational work towards addressing these challenges, establishing monitoring systems for child labor and promoting strategies for remediation. The GALAB Project builds upon this groundwork by integrating various stakeholders and enhancing the capacity for child protection within mining communities.
The GALAB Project represents a significant step towards eradicating child labor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s cobalt mining sector. By building upon previous initiatives and focusing on comprehensive remediation services, the project aims to engage multiple stakeholders, promote accountability, and provide vital support to affected children and their families. The collaborative approach, emphasizing both public and private sector involvement, is crucial for effecting sustainable change and safeguarding the rights of children in mining areas.
Original Source: www.ilo.org
