When you go into your local Boots and stock up on some new make-up, do you ever consider the origins of that product? Have you ever wondered what makes your make-up shimmer and sparkle? It's the group of minerals Mica, which is commonly mined by children in India.
What is Mica?
Mica is the name given to a group of minerals which are a staple ingredient in cosmetic production. When ground down they give make-up the glittery and sparkly look that the product offers, being used for lipstick, eye shadow and foundations. It is also used in skincare to give the desired ‘glow effect’. Due to its versatile nature, and being naturally produced, it is a much-loved ingredient for beauty. Especially considering that regardless of skin type it has little side effects. (Source: Vogue)
Where does it come from?
The Jharkhand state in India has the biggest supply of mica in the world, yet due to the high levels of poverty in the region it also has one of the highest rates of child labour. Many of these children (up to 20,000) work in the mica mines starting from as young as 10 years old.
Why is this problem so big?
With high levels of poverty come low levels of education. In Jharkhand more than half of women do not have access to education, which results in them working in the mines to afford a living.
Another issues is that roughly 70% of mica mines are unregulated by the government, which makes it hard to control who is working the mines. This similarly makes it difficult for companies to source ethically produced mica, as the supply chain is broken.
How can we help?
Although boycotting companies that use mica is a viable solution, it is not one that will tackle the root cause of the issue. Boycotting does not reduce production or prevent further generations of children working in the mines. Instead reduce/replace the amount of products that you use that contain mica, favouring ethically sourced mica.
Over the past few years large cosmetic companies, such as L’Oréal, have started campaigns to source more ethical mica. By sourcing supplies from only legal gated mines they can be sure that working conditions are upheld and monitored. However, this is impossible to implement on a larger scale, and even with these guidelines child labour will still continue in some mines.
As well as buying from companies who are committed to removing child labour from their supply chain and sourcing mica ethically, you can also support those organisations on the ground who are are running social action projects. For instance, Responsible Mica Initiative is a coalition of different groups aiming to eradicate child labour in mica sourcing by 2022 or BBA who too are fighting to end child labour and abuse.
Spread the word! This topic is not discussed near enough about. Tell your family and friends, share on social media, get the news out. When we’re armed with knowledge we can demand better from the companies we so freely give our money too. When we demand change, we can enact change.
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