So, Apple got back and told me they had “strict standards” regarding child labourers and artisanal cobalt miners in DR Congo. When I downloaded Apple’s latest PDF report on due diligence – I realised their standards are not so strict. It’s not good enough. What I want is a company (Apple?) to set an example …
DORSEN AND RICHARD: Doing something practical pays off [Header image: Sky News] When I saw the Sky News film of Dorsen and Richard in February, I was distressed. I wanted to do something – not sure what – to help. I took their story personally. I have a smartphone, a camera, a laptop – I …
Gold star for Nokia. Dorsen’s day. International law No judgement here. The paper letters are in the post and will still be in postal bags somewhere. It will take a while for them to be delivered to offices in: China [Huayou Cobalt and Lenovo], Korea [Samsung and LG Electronics], Taiwan [Acer Inc.], Japan [Sony], Sweden …
Today, I printed out the letter to CEOs and put them in envelopes and posted them. The total postage was £31.90. Dorsen earns as little as 8p, or 10¢ day – sometimes nothing. When the Sky News report was filmed, Dorsen hadn’t eaten in two days. He was working a 12 hour day. He’s eight. …
Understanding the abusive cycle: government, corporates, kids… The DR Congo government told the people to mine for themselves after state run mines went bankrupt. The government does not enforce labour laws which prohibit child labour. There are thousands of unofficial cobalt mines in DR Congo, with no proper infrastructure, safety practice or equipment. The DR …
This letter is for the attention of the CEOs of smartphone companies asking them to do something simple: to organise assistance, at no cost to themselves, to help the people their industry is abusing – children like Dorsen. I’ve written a few drafts of this letter and feel the need to constantly revise it – …
