Ógra Aontú: Global Firms need to follow up Talk on Child Slavery with Action
Ben Conroy, Caithaoirleach of Ógra Aontú, has called on companies operating in Ireland to end the use of child labour in their supply chains.
Speaking on the International Day Against Child Labour, Ben said “child labour is modern slavery, and our global companies in our society still rely on it.”
“At a time in which people are becoming increasingly aware of the many structural injustices that are present in the modern world, we see major corporations talking a good game about inclusion and equality.”
“But it’s one thing to talk about it: another to do something about it”.
“Tech companies including Apple, Google, Dell, and Microsoft have been involved in a lawsuit alleging that they are responsible for the use of child labour in highly dangerous cobalt mining involved in their supply chain”.
“Companies like Nestle and Mars continue to rely child labour in the Ivory Coast and elsewhere for cocoa production. Research suggests that the effects of COVID-19 pandemic may increase child labour in the global cocoa industry, as children are out of school and family incomes drop.
Ben went on, “Black lives matter, and black children’s lives matter.”
“Successive governments have been very keen to make Ireland an attractive place for multinationals to operate: the government should insist that companies operating in Ireland need to be child labour free.”
“I’d also urge anyone reading this statement to consider giving their support to excellent charities who fight child slavery such as International Justice Mission , or direct cash transfer programs like GiveDirectly https://www.givedirectly.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1eOu-Mb86QIViaztCh1gTwnsEAAYASAAEgJzBvD_BwE.”
