Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

US Law Targets Chinese Communist Party for Child Labor in Cobalt Mining

theguru Views  

A bill has been proposed in the U.S. Congress to ban the import of cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is due to allegations that the Chinese Communist Party, which owns 90% of the DRC’s cobalt mines, is exploiting child labor and forced labor.

According to industry sources, on the 18th, Congressman Chris Smith, who chairs the House Global Human Rights Subcommittee, introduced a bill known as HR 7891, the ‘Stop China’s Exploitation of Forced and Child Labor in the Cobalt Mining Industry Act.’

HR 7891 aims to understand the extent of forced and child labor in the DRC’s cobalt mining industry through a comprehensive investigation by the U.S. Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force. Additionally, the bill aims to implement new strategies to prevent the entry of cobalt mined by forced labor into the U.S. market.

Congressman Smith stated, “The Chinese Communist Party completely controls every stage of the DRC’s cobalt supply chain,” and “They are profiting from child and forced labor used to extract cobalt in the DRC and advance their so-called ‘green economy.”

He further emphasized, “The U.S. must stop tolerating the horrific exploitation that the Chinese Communist Party is perpetrating against children as young as six and reduce our dependence on Xi Jinping’s brutal dictatorship.”

Partially based on testimonies from a November congressional hearing chaired by Congressman Smith is HR 7891. The hearing revealed the Chinese Communist Party’s exploitation of children and forced laborers.

Father Rigobert Minani Bihuzo attended the hearing and revealed, “Artisanal and small-scale mines number 1,000 from the Ituri region to Lake Tanganyika, with an estimated 200,000 artisanal miners. This includes thousands of children and pregnant women.”

He added, “Many artisanal mines are narrow tunnels dug into the ground, and children are mining cobalt and other minerals using only their hands or basic tools, without any protective equipment. The majority are being forced into the tunnels.”

Congressman Jason Smith, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Legislative Review, has listened to various opinions on HR 7891 and plans to fast-track it for a vote.

Chairman Smith evaluated, “The U.S. has long fought to eradicate child and adult forced labor, but cobalt, which is essential to our battery technology, is being unethically mined through forced labor under Chinese control. This bill is important to block materials contaminated by inhumane labor practices from entering the U.S.”

theguru
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[WORLD] Latest Stories

  • China Targets U.S. Tech Industry with Rare Earth Export Freeze
  • Porsche Taycan GTS Breaks Guinness Record with 10.9-Mile Ice Drift
  • Africa's MPOX Variant Clade 1b Reaches France: Health Officials Take Action
  • LA Wildfires’ Economic Toll Hits $50 Billion, Doubling Early Estimates
  • Real Reason Trump Wants Greenland and the Panama Canal: Geopolitical Dominance
  • Biden Targets China, Russia with New Semiconductor Export Limits

You May Also Like

  • 1
    10 Tasty Ways to Eat Smarter—Literally

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Why You’re Craving Chips at Midnight—and How to Stop

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Not Ginseng, But Close: Why Acanthopanax Is the New Wellness Star

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Neck Wrinkles Giving You Away? Here’s How to Smooth Things Out

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Pfizer Ends Obesity Drug Trial After Liver Risk Emerges

    LATEST 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Real Teeth, Grown in a Lab? Scientists Say It’s Closer Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 2
    Truth About Carbs and Kids: Why Balance Is Everything

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 3
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 4
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 5
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

Must-Reads

  • 1
    10 Tasty Ways to Eat Smarter—Literally

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Why You’re Craving Chips at Midnight—and How to Stop

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Not Ginseng, But Close: Why Acanthopanax Is the New Wellness Star

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Neck Wrinkles Giving You Away? Here’s How to Smooth Things Out

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Pfizer Ends Obesity Drug Trial After Liver Risk Emerges

    LATEST 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Real Teeth, Grown in a Lab? Scientists Say It’s Closer Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Truth About Carbs and Kids: Why Balance Is Everything

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE