You’ve probably come across it before, although you may not have fully realized just how frequently you utilize it in your daily life. The subject in question is Mica, a magic mineral found in countless bits and pieces, including the very device in which you’re currently scrolling this article.
In the above picture, what you’re seeing is sheet mica from Madagascar, which is popularly known to be the world’s largest exporter of Mica. This is sheet silicate mineral which is most of rock of earth’s crust. Mica is the natural insulator which won’t overheat even in extreme heat suitable for electronic industry. In addition, it’s precious and critical to making the cosmetics (shimmer), automobiles and aerospace industry. Have you ever considered the global extent of its usage?
China controls most of the world’s mica. Over 90% of the mined mica ends up with China. This provide ample hint towards a massive amount. Consider just the cosmetic industry, from illuminating serums to a bottle of nail lacquer. The entire cosmetic industry would admittedly be such a faded place without existence of mica. The very property of mica is glimmer which qualifies as an indispensable component of the entire cosmetic industry. The global cosmetics market size was valued at USD 262.21 billion in 2022. Smearing a slight amount of highlighter on our skin creates an effect resembling the brilliance of a diamond. Though little do we know the glowing radiance has a distressing reality of child labour?
Mica mining is notoriously known for engaging armies of child labour and has been globally reported extensively. Behind all this glitter is a luring darker side of the mica mining in India. It is one of the leading producers and exporters in the world. Jharkhand holds a whopping share in the global export of mica.
Jharkhand popularly had known the land of scenic lush forests. Though the picture of mining is less picturesque where child labour and illegal mica mining are no secret. The mica supply chains are notoriously difficult to penetrate and are illegally running in the state of Jharkhand. The mica mining industry today operates via unlicensed middle men involving child labour who scavenge for mica in large abandoned mines, or dig holes into the earth for scraps.
There’s outrageous exploitation of children to fuel the world’s dependence on mica. Engagement of children in illegal mining faced with hard labour and dangerous working conditions. They delve into narrow airless pit holes for digging mica. Usual temperature is hot outside and get hotter inside those congested holes. Kids along with their parents involved in digging, sifting and hauling mica. Extraction of mica exposes them to an array of hazardous occupational disease such as mica pneumoconiosis, a rare lung disease.
Indian legislation which strictly prohibits child labour where mining stands as major hazardous occupation employing children in mining is a severe violation of the existing law. The legal working age for any child at work is 16 whereas for mining it’s even higher 18.It may come as a surprise that the process of mining and extracting mica is a laborious task that often involves the participation of not just adolescents, but even very young children. This is due to their small stature and nimble fingers, which enable them to enter cramped and airless crevices more easily in order to extract mica. However, it is important to note that involving children in such hazardous work is a violation of international agreements, as recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO).A report by UNICEF and ILO estimates that over 160 million children are working worldwide and over 22,000 of them in Bihar mica mines only. These mica mines serve as illustrations of child labour, showcasing the unfortunate reality where young children are denied access to education and forced into work due to circumstances of child poverty.
It wouldn’t be surprising to know that DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety) being the regulatory agency for mines safety is situated in Jharkhand. However, the increasing demand for mica has resulted in a widespread involvement of children in the illegal mica extraction industry. Surprisingly, this issue has been overlooked by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) despite being widely known. This raises a significant question: why haven’t the authorities taken action to address this problem or implemented a complete ban on children working in mica mines? It begs the question, who is benefiting from these questionable practices?
Horrors of children engaged in mica mining are heart-breaking but not hopeless. Leading child right groups are intervening and documenting the most vulnerable children who work for pennies and their livelihood depend on mining mica. There had been notable contributions in the field of anti-child labour projects being in operation by organisations working on child rights. They are working to curb the menace and suggesting alternate employments for reducing their reliance on this hazardous activity as a sole means of livelihood.
A year back, Rihanna, prominent pop culture star have come under the scanner of child right activist for unethical sourcing of mica for her beauty brand, Fenty beauty. The innovative approach of marketing claims “Vegan and cruelty free: An ethical makeup chain” however lacking transparency regarding the procurement and distribution channels. The onus falls on the companies to traces the sources of mica supply in a responsible manner. Thus, there lies an aspect of business and conscience.
Are we, as knowledgeable consumers, can we discover substitutes or discontinue the utilization of these commodities? Comprehending the undisclosed aspects associated with them.
Big multinational corporations (MNCs) are acutely mindful of the power dynamics at play, where workers from economically disadvantaged backgrounds have limited control and few alternatives. This allows these corporations to thrive, often at the expense of the future of children. Consequently, they exploit this situation, compromising the future of these children. The entrenched power of these corporations has posed a formidable challenge that cannot be dismantled without coordinated actions from governmental bodies and civil society, as well as the conscious choices of consumers.
To conceal the unrelenting exploitation of child labour and slavery, leading beauty brands often portray themselves to be the Salvationist credo over the matters of ethical sourcing. The extractive mining business using armies of child labour is highly unethical. Despite the seemingly ethical image portrayed by these brands, they conveniently ignore the harsh reality of children working in terrible conditions and being exploited by suppliers solely driven by greed. Although the mineral they extract is valuable to the world, those involved in its procurement receive very little compensation. This creates a vicious cycle of exploitation and inequality.
Nevertheless, the saga doesn’t end here. I believe as a reader this article will help you conclude sufficient conclusions from such insufficient deliberations on this matter.