DRC: Tech Companies Sued over Child Labour Deaths

Five US-based technology companies are being sued for the deaths of children who alleged worked as labourers at cobalt mines located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The central African country produces 60% of the world’s supply of cobalt – a rare metal that is used in the production of lithium-ion batteries that power electric cars, computers and smartphones.

On Sunday, 15 December, a human rights organisation called International Rights Advocates filed a lawsuit against these companies – including Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp and Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc – for the deaths of children who were allegedly forced to mine cobalt in the DRC.

The lawsuit claims that these children were killed in tunnel collapses, while others suffered life-altering injuries, including paralysis.

The lawsuit was reportedly filed on behalf of 14 families who are related to the child victims.

Glencore, a Swiss-British mining company who owns these mines in the DRC, claims that it does not tolerate any form of child labour.

The tech companies named in the lawsuit have yet to respond to the allegations.