The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has strongly condemned the United States Department of Labor’s inclusion of Congolese cobalt on its 2024 list of goods produced through child or forced labor.
The DRC government labeled the decision as “unjustified,” arguing that it fails to recognize the substantial reforms made in regulating both artisanal and industrial mining sectors in the country.
“The decision disregards the significant efforts and progress we’ve made in improving mining practices. It undermines global systems aimed at ensuring human rights, labor standards, and safety regulations, which are rigorously enforced by independent bodies in partnership with Western multinationals,” the statement read.
The DRC government asserted that the assessment overlooks the realities on the ground and damages the global reputation of the Congolese mining industry. Despite these concerns, the government expressed its willingness to engage in constructive initiatives that would further enhance labor conditions and safeguard human rights, aiming to foster sustainable and inclusive development.
Regarding child and forced labor in informal artisanal mining, the DRC pointed to the efforts of the Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC), established in 2019, which promotes ethical and transparent cobalt extraction in alignment with Congolese laws and international standards.
For industrial mining, the government highlighted that companies operating in the DRC comply with national laws, international agreements, and robust transparency and governance frameworks.
Additionally, the government called for increased cooperation with the Cobalt Institute, cobalt supply chain companies, and local NGOs working on issues related to cobalt.
The U.S. Department of Labor added cobalt ore from the DRC to its 2024 list due to concerns over child and forced labor in artisanal mining. This list serves as a resource for civil society and businesses to address labor rights violations in global supply chains.
