The Hidden Cost of Mica: Child Labor in Madagascar

The Struggle for Survival
In Madagascar, around 10,000 children are caught in the unforgiving grasp of the mica industry—an often unregulated sector that poses severe dangers. Mica, a silicate mineral used to add a “shimmer” effect in products like paints, car parts, and cosmetics, exacts a heavy toll on the young lives that mine it. Children, alongside their parents and grandparents, work in perilous conditions, risking their health while handling toxic dust and navigating unstable tunnels. As 65-year-old Soja, Tenasoa’s grandfather, succinctly states, “If we don’t work, we don’t eat.” This sentiment echoes the harsh reality that many families face: survival takes precedence over education.

Global Goals and Slow Progress
In 2015, the United Nations set an ambitious goal to eradicate child labor globally by 2025. However, the latest Child Labour Report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF reveals that progress is far from satisfactory. While the number of working children decreased by 12 million from 2020, a staggering 138 million remain engaged in child labor, emphasizing an urgent need for accelerated efforts to combat this issue. ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo remarked, “The findings of our report offer hope… But we must not be blindsided by the fact that we still have a long way to go.”

Understanding Hazardous Work
Not all work by children fits the definition of child labor. This term specifically refers to work that deprives children of their childhood and poses risks to their health and development. Since the turn of the millennium, over 100 million children have been lifted out of child labor, suggesting that the world possesses a “blueprint” to combat this issue. Nevertheless, far too many children, like 13-year-old Honorine from Benin, are stuck in hazardous jobs. Honorine works long hours in a gravel quarry, meticulously collecting buckets of gravel in hopes of saving for her dream of becoming a hairdresser.

The Human Stories Behind the Statistics
The report highlights that child labor perpetuates an intergenerational cycle of poverty. Children engaged in labor frequently have limited access to education, compromising their future opportunities. Federico Blanco, a lead author of the report, emphasizes the importance of seeing child labor as more than just numbers on a page. Behind each statistic lies a child whose rights to education, protection, and a hopeful future are being stripped away. Take Nur, a 13-year-old Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh, who was pulled from school to support his family. Fortunately, with the help of a UNICEF-funded center, Nur has returned to school, rekindling his dream of becoming a teacher.

Approaching the Issue Holistically
Both UNICEF and the ILO stress the need for integrated policy solutions that span government sectors and address child labor from educational, economic, and social angles. Tackling child labor cannot be isolated from poverty alleviation; families often send their children to work out of financial desperation. Ensuring that parents have rights to safe working conditions and fair wages is essential to end child labor. Mr. Smith, an ILO child labor expert, points out that improving adult labor conditions is crucial in addressing the core issue of poverty that fuels child labor.

Dreams Deferred by Funding Shortages
Despite the progress made, persistent funding shortages threaten the fight against child labor. Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, warns that global funding cuts could reverse hard-won achievements. Many children, like 10-year-old Adwara from Ethiopia, yearn for the classroom. He faced a tough choice between supporting his family and pursuing his education; ultimately, he had to drop out of school as the pressures of supporting eight siblings became overwhelming. Now working in a gold mine, he earns about $35 a day while dreaming of returning to school to build a better future for himself.

A Collective Responsibility
As communities, nations, and global organizations grapple with the pervasive issue of child labor, each child’s story sheds light on a broader narrative about our world. The plight of children in the mica industry exposes the urgent need for reforms that address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of child labor. The challenges are daunting, but with awareness and collective action, change is possible.