Why Is Child Labor Happening In the Democratic Republic of Congo?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the most toxic areas within the poorest continent on earth. Millions have died as a result of the conflict between destructive rebel militias and the national army. Conflicts have risen within the country as a battle for control of profitable mining sites. This is encouraging the demand for mineral wealth, along with the control of slaves who are forced to work the mines. In 2010 an U.S. Geographical Survey determined that the Democratic Republic of Congo is the world’s fifth largest producer of tantalum, and tin. Reports have represented that the largest purchasing countries of coltan(tantalum) are Belgium, China, Thailand and South Africa. These minerals are then refined in Asia, before being sold as metals to the United States. Coltan is the source of the minerals niobium and tantalum. Coltan generally refers to tantalum, which is widely used in certain medical equipment, cell phones, and laptops worldwide.

Due to the countries poor and oppressed state, men, women, and children have become dependent on the mines. They then face the struggle to either be forced to work in the mines, or willfully choose to work in the mines. Some are forced into working in the mines due to debt bondage, or the threat of violence. Local miner middlemen enjoy having younger children as laborers because their pay is less than the older boys. Additionally it is said children are essential to the process because they can get into smaller holes dug in the river beds. Others are choosing to leave school and work in these, hazardous conditions, in order to pay for a decent meal at the end of the day. These miners are usually not with any sort of protective gear, a lot of the time children will be barefooted and without safety helmets.

In order to change and better the lives of this group of people, a newly elected government is essential. In addition to preparatory steps be made to improve the children of DRC lives. Such as, bettering social services offered to these children. In addition to take action to demobilize all children under the age of 15 or children in which have not consented to work in the mines.