U.S. tech giants sued over deaths of child cobalt miners

Tech giants sued over deaths of child cobalt miners

Major tech companies are facing a lawsuit over the deaths of child cobalt miners in Africa. The lawsuit alleges that these companies are complicit in the deaths of these miners due to their use of cobalt in their products.

Cobalt is a key component in lithium-ion batteries, which are used in most electronics, including smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The majority of the world’s cobalt supply comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where child labor is common in mining operations.

The lawsuit claims that tech giants like Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Tesla knew about the use of child labor in cobalt mines but failed to take action to prevent it. The plaintiffs argue that these companies are responsible for the deaths of the child miners due to their negligence.

In response to the lawsuit, the tech companies have stated that they have taken steps to ensure responsible sourcing of cobalt and to eliminate child labor from their supply chains. However, the plaintiffs argue that these measures are not sufficient and that more needs to be done to protect the rights of child miners.

The lawsuit highlights the challenges faced by tech companies in ensuring ethical sourcing of raw materials for their products. As consumers become more conscious of the social and environmental impact of their purchases, it is crucial for companies to take steps to address these issues and to hold themselves accountable for the welfare of all workers in their supply chains.