Tech companies sued for the deaths of child cobalt miners
Several US tech companies are facing a lawsuit over the deaths of child cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lawsuit alleges that these tech giants have knowingly benefited from the use of cobalt mined by children, leading to the deaths of several minors.
Cobalt is a key component in the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in many electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The demand for cobalt has skyrocketed in recent years, leading to an increase in the number of small-scale mines in the DRC where children are often forced to work in dangerous conditions.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court in Washington, DC, accuses tech companies such as Apple, Google parent company Alphabet, Microsoft, Dell, and Tesla of knowingly benefiting from the situation by turning a blind eye to the use of child labor in their supply chains. The plaintiffs in the case are seeking damages for the families of the deceased miners, as well as changes to company policies to prevent further harm to children in the future.
The tech companies named in the lawsuit have denied the allegations, stating that they have strict policies in place to prevent the use of child labor in their supply chains. However, the plaintiffs argue that these companies have failed to effectively monitor and enforce these policies, leading to the deaths of innocent children.
The case highlights the ethical and moral responsibilities that tech companies have when it comes to sourcing materials for their products. As the demand for cobalt continues to grow, it is imperative that these companies take action to ensure that the materials they use are sourced ethically and responsibly to prevent further harm to vulnerable populations.
