DRC Criticizes US Department of Labor for Including Congolese Cobalt on Forced Labor List
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has expressed strong disapproval of the United States Department of Labor’s decision to include Congolese cobalt in its 2024 list of goods produced by child or forced labor.
On October 1, the DRC government issued a statement describing the decision as “unjustified,” arguing that it overlooks significant reforms in the regulation of both artisanal and industrial mining in the country.
“The decision fails to acknowledge the substantial efforts and progress made in regulating artisanal and industrial mining. It undermines international systems designed to ensure compliance with human rights, labor standards, and safety regulations, which are rigorously enforced by independent bodies collaborating with Western multinationals.
This assessment disregards local realities and damages the international reputation of the Congolese mining sector,” the government stated.
Despite its objections, the DRC government expressed openness to any constructive initiatives aimed at improving labor conditions and protecting human rights in the mining sector to promote sustainable and inclusive development.
Regarding child and forced labor in informal artisanal mining, the government highlighted the efforts of the Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC), established in 2019, which is committed to ethical, responsible, and transparent cobalt extraction in line with Congolese laws and international standards.
For industrial mining, the government emphasized that companies operating in the DRC adhere to national laws, international agreements, and stringent transparency and governance frameworks.
The government also called for closer collaboration with the Cobalt Institute, companies in the cobalt supply chain, and local NGOs working on cobalt-related issues.
The U.S. Department of Labor recently added cobalt ore from the DRC to its 2024 list, citing concerns about child and forced labor in artisanal mining.
The list serves as a resource for civil society organizations and companies to highlight and address labor rights violations in global supply chains.
