Child Labour in Indian Glimmer mines

This report is part of our former „Harmful Cases“ documentation, where we continuously and concisely recorded human rights violations, violations of international law or environmental destruction caused by companies.

In the poor Indian region of Jharkhand, children as young as 12 work in the mica mines for about 50 rupees a day. Their income is highly needed to support their families but they miss out school and are endangered by snake and scorpion bites, the collapse of the caves, cuts and respiratory illnesses. Although no child under 18 is allowed to work, enforcement of the law is weak. Reportedly, several layers of suppliers impede the control of origin of the glimmer.

Glimmer is used in building material, as insulator in electronic chips, and in cosmetics such as eyeshadow, lipstick or nail polish.

L´Oreal for example expects their suppliers to adhere to the prohibition of child labour and to allow audits at the production sites.