Tech firms like Apple, Samsung and Sony, among others, have failed to ensure that minerals used in their products are not mined by children.
That is according to a report released by human rights group Amnesty International.
In a report into cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the group found children as young as seven working in dangerous conditions.
“Millions of people enjoy the benefits of new technologies but rarely ask how they are made. It is high time the big brands took some responsibility for the mining of the raw materials that make their lucrative products,” Business and Human Rights Researcher at Amnesty International, Mark Dummett said.
“The glamorous shop displays and marketing of state of the art technologies are a stark contrast to the children carrying bags of rocks, and miners in narrow manmade tunnels risking permanent lung damage,” he added.
Cobalt is a vital component of lithium-ion batteries.
The firms have however denied the accusations saying that they have a zero tolerance policy towards child labour.
Amnesty International says miners working in the area face long-term health problems and the risk of fatal accidents
The DRC produces at least 50% of the world’s cobalt.
