The price of the iPhone: modern slaves digging the earth for hours in search of cobalt
Hundreds of thousands of people in Africa sweat for hours every day in appalling conditions for the production of laptops and smartphones, which are indispensable in our daily lives.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the homeland of cobalt, one of the basic materials for iPhones, laptops and Tesla vehicles, thousands of people, including children, dig for hours on end for $2 a day.
Author and academic Siddharth Kara, known for his work on modern slavery and child labor, works cobalt mines in Democratic Congo for his new book “Cobalt Red: How Congo Blood Powers Our Lives.” .
(Siddharth Black)
Shameful footage taken at the mine in the Katanga region reveals how thousands of Africans worked to death to get millions to use iPhones or Tesla cars. At the mine, thousands of Africans, including young women, children and the elderly, spend hours searching for cobalt with plastic slippers on their feet or bare feet.
Although many companies that use raw cobalt have argued for years that they respect ethical values ​​in the production process, the images reveal working conditions that are no different from slavery.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 90 percent of the world’s cobalt mines are located, people inhale chemicals every day for products that sell for thousands of dollars.
In the newly shared photos, it is seen that women with babies and small children are also working.
(Siddharth Black)
According to the book, this tragic picture in Africa is worsening as demand for cobalt from Western companies increases.
THE PRICE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PRODUCTS
Speaking to Britain’s DailyMail, writer Kara compared the scene to the colonial period, saying: “Hundreds of the world’s poorest people are searching for cobalt. “Sometimes they do it on an empty stomach and don’t get a chance to say no,” she said.
Emphasizing that the growing demand for green vehicles in the world has had devastating consequences for the Congolese, Kara said: “This is thought to be a green option, but it is not so green for everyone.”
The book also draws attention to the fact that dealing with cobalt for a long time causes problems such as lung cancer, birth defects, and deafness.
Source: Sozcu
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
