Latest news with #childlabor
Zawya
6 days ago
- General
- Zawya
From Mine Shafts to Classrooms: How a Cobalt Mining Town is Reclaiming Childhood and Rebuilding Hope
Thirteen-year-old Beni Cial Yumba Musoya used to spend her days scavenging for cobalt under the scorching sun in the artisanal mines of Kolwezi. Today, she dreams of donning a white coat and saving lives. "I want to be a doctor," she says, smiling shyly from her wooden desk at Kasanda Primary School in Kasulo, a neighbourhood nestled in Congo's mining heartland of south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. "I will build schools and health centres to help people, just as I was helped before," she continues. Beni is one of thousands of Congolese children whose lives have been transformed by the Support Project for Alternative Welfare of Children and Young People Involved in the Cobalt Supply Chain (PABEA-COBALT) ( a bold $82 million initiative funded by the African Development Bank. The project aims to eliminate child labour in the cobalt sector – an industry vital to the global tech economy, yet plagued by poverty, informally and exploitation. The atmosphere here has changed dramatically. Just a few years ago, the soundscape of Kasulo was dominated by the roar of rudimentary mining machinery and the shuffle of children burdened by sacks of ore. Today, those echoes have been replaced by the buzz of classrooms, the chatter of pupils at recess, and the laughter of children rediscovering play and learning. In early 2022, PABEA-COBALT identified more than 16,800 Congolese children working in artisanal cobalt mines in the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba. Since then, 13,587 of them - including Beni – have been enrolled in schools. Many attend newly constructed or rehabilitated facilities like Kasanda Primary School, where education, healthcare, psychological support and civil registry services are provided at no cost. 'Before, I used to collect minerals in artisanal mines. That was all I knew,' recalls Beni, her expression briefly clouded by painful memories. A few steps away, Marie Samba tends to her hens and quails, her hand dusted with feed rather than cobalt residue. A former mine worker, Marie once spent her days sorting and washing cobalt to survive. Today, she's a trained poultry farmer. "I used to collect and wash minerals to sell them," she sighs. Marie is one of over 10,500 parents and guardians supported by the project – well above the initial target of 6,250. They have received training in agriculture and livestock farming, as well as materials to start-up kits to launch small businesses. Additionally, 8,200 young people formerly working in the mines are being supported to integrate into school, vocational training, or income-generating activities. "We have been educated and trained in livestock farming and agriculture. We have also been given supplies to start our activities. I didn't think I could change my life like this," says Marie Samba, who is delighted with the excellent results she is achieving with her poultry farm PABEA-COBALT has also helped establish two entrepreneurship centres in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, equipped with modern equipment for agriculture, livestock farming and food processing. These centres serve as anchors for change, empowering young people and parents to build livelihoods away from the mines. 'One of the project's greatest successes is that it has anchored change from within the communities,' says project coordinator Alice Mirimo Kabetsi. 'Solutions don't just come from outside: they are now driven by parents, teachers and young people themselves. This model proves that by focusing on education and local entrepreneurship, we can break the cycle of child labour in the mines for good," she said. Across the region, this shift is tangible. Nearly 1,000 agricultural cooperatives have been reorganized, strengthening local agricultural and livestock value chains and offering new economic opportunities. The transformation has drawn international attention. A recent report from the DRC's National Human Rights Commission titled Child labour in artisanal cobalt mining sites ( produced in collaboration with the UN Human Rights Council, commended the project's 'tangible results' and urged replication in other mining-affected region across the Great Lakes. Back in Kasulo, children like Beni are rediscovering their childhood dreams and the power of innocence. Mothers like Marie are holding their heads high, proud to be building a future free from the cobalt mines. For partners such as the African Development Bank, this project has not only changed lives. It has paved the way for a whole generation growing up far from the mines and building, day after day, a stronger, fairer and resolutely forward-looking society. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newsom, federal officials clash after immigration raids at cannabis farms in Southern California
Gov. Gavin Newsom and federal officials took to social media on Thursday to respond to raids at two cannabis farms in Southern California. The immigration sweeps, one at Glass House Farms in Camarillo and another Glass House facility in Carpinteria, unfolded simultaneously at around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. 'Trump calls me 'Newscum' — but he's the real scum,' Newsom wrote on X, including a video from KTLA of protesters of the raid running from tear gas sprayed by officers in Camarillo. Dozens, including undocumented minors, were arrested during the immigration raids. In a post on X, the Department of Homeland Security responded to Newsom, asking, 'Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin?' Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said 10 minors in the country illegally were found at the facility, which is now 'under investigation for child labor violations.' This is Newsom's California, Scott posted on X. The cannabis company confirmed on social media that workers were detained, and they are working to provide them with legal assistance. However, the company denied employing minors. 'Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors,' the company said on X. The raids in Ventura County come after federal agents descended upon MacArthur Park in the Westlake district of Los Angeles on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Child predator among more than 300 nabbed in cannabis farm ICE raid, largest of Trump's second term
Federal authorities have confirmed that more than 300 illegal aliens were arrested Thursday during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a Ventura County, California cannabis farm. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on X that 319 unlawful immigrants were apprehended during the raid at Glass House Farms, and said that "law enforcement rescued 14 children from potential forced labor, exploitation, and trafficking." The raid is believed to be the second-largest single-state ICE worksite operation in history, behind the first Trump administration's 2019 Mississippi chicken plant raids that netted almost 700 illegal alien arrests. One man taken into custody has a history of violent crime, including attempted child exploitation. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott posted a photo of the unnamed migrant on X. "This illegal alien was apprehended at the CA marijuana facility," he said. "Turns out he had been sentenced to 7 yrs for kidnapping & attempted rape, w/ a prior conviction for attempted child molestation. And this felon was working at the same farm as 10 kids - one being 14 yrs old." Fox News has learned that the children rescued at the farm are from Mexico and Honduras, and that immigration authorities are analyzing the criminal histories of all 319 of the detained illegal aliens. Glass House Farms is under investigation for possible child labor law violations. The company's co-founder, president and board director, Graham Farrar, donated $10,000 to California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2018, among other Democratic politicians. He has also donated to Republicans, and shown support for Republicans who expressed support for liberalizing cannabis laws. A violent clash erupted between ICE agents and protesters during the massive raid. Federal law enforcement agents were assaulted during the operation, and one combatant appeared to fire a handgun towards agents as the crowd was dispersed with tear gas. One worker died during the raid after climbing a 30-foot greenhouse and subsequently falling from it. An irate Trump took to his Truth Social platform to blast the protesters, and authorize ICE to take whatever precautions are necessary to protect themselves during future raids. "I am on my way back from Texas, and watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE Officers while they were moving down a roadway in their car and/or official vehicle," he said. "Tremendous damage was done to these brand new vehicles. I know for a fact that these Officers are having a hard time with allowing this to happen in that it shows such total disrespect for LAW AND ORDER. "I am giving Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public," he wrote. "I never want to see a car carrying a Law Enforcement Officer attacked again! AUTHORIZATION IMMEDIATELY GRANTED FOR ARREST AND INCARCERATION. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Minors among 200 suspected illegal immigrants detained at California marijuana farm
A farm worker died after an immigration raid at a California marijuana farm, during which about 200 people – including 10 minors – were detained, according to a union."We tragically can confirm that a farm worker has died of injuries they sustained as a result of yesterday's immigration enforcement action," said a United Farm Workers X post on erupted outside Glass House farm in Camarillo on Thursday as protesters confronted federal agents in an attempt to stop the raid. Tear gas was fired at protesters, and National Guard troops with guns and gas masks tried to keep demonstrators from accessing the indoor farm. Federal officials said a protester fired what looked like a pistol at federal agents. It's not clear where the juveniles are from, but Customs and Border Protection boss Rodney Scott said the youngest was aged 14. "Here's some breaking news: 10 juveniles were found at this marijuana facility - all illegal aliens, 8 of them unaccompanied," he wrote on X on Friday. "It's now under investigation for child labor violations."The age of the person who died was not streamed the clashes live, with one video showing a teenage boy crying that his mother had been taken. US officials shared a video of what looks like a man firing a weapon at federal agents and have offered a $50,000 reward to help them find and convict the suspect. Federal officers "rescued at least 10 migrant children from what looks like exploitation, forced child labor, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling," Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. "During the operation, a violent agitator fired a gun at our brave officers."Marijuana is legal and regulated in California – this enforcement was about the workers, not the product. Two Glass House marijuana farms were raided simultaneously in Camarillo and Carpinteria – both along California's central coast farmland north of Los House said in a statement posted to X that it complied with immigration officers."Workers were detained and we are assisting to provide them legal representation," the company said. "Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors."California – particularly Los Angeles County – has been at the centre of daily immigration raids since President Trump deployed National Guard troops and US Marines to Los Angeles last month to protect federal immigration agents. While many Americans support President Trump's tough immigration policies, in Southern California they have caused palpable fear in immigrant communities, with many migrants hiding in their homes, too afraid to go to work or the grocery store.
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Newsom, DHS Feud After 'Juveniles' Allegedly Found at Cannabis Facility During ICE Raids
A raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on two cannabis growing sites in California led to tense conflicts and finger-pointing Thursday and Friday, as the Customs and Border Patrol commissioner said he was launching an investigation into potential 'child labor violations,' while Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the raids and called President Donald Trump 'scum.' Federal agents block people protesting an ICE immigration raid at a nearby licensed cannabis farm on ... More July 10 near Camarillo, agents raided cannabis nurseries in Camarillo, California, and Carpinteria, California, on Thursday. Both cannabis facilities are owned by Glass House Brands Inc., which bills itself as one of the largest cannabis flower brands in the world. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said in posts on X Thursday and Friday that agents found 10 undocumented 'juveniles' as young as 14 years old, eight of which were allegedly unaccompanied, during the raids. Scott said in an X post Thursday that the facility is now under investigation for 'child labor violations.' It remains unclear if the juveniles found at the cannabis facility are employed by Glass House. The company denied hiring minors in a statement on X, stating that 'Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors.' During the raids, law enforcement used tear gas and crowd control munitions and were met with protests, The New York Times reported. The LA Times reported that about 200 suspected undocumented immigrants were taken into custody as a result of the raids. Newsom condemned the raids on X, posting a video of people who appear to be running from tear gas and writing, 'Trump calls me 'Newscum' — but he's the real scum.' The Department of Homeland Security replied to Newsom's post on X Thursday with a post asking, 'Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin?' In Scott's Friday post on X, he posted a photo of the undocumented juveniles and challenged Newsom, asking, 'California are you ready to partner with us to stop child exploitation?' Newsom responded Friday with an X post, stating that California 'prosecute(s) criminals that break child labor laws.' Trump campaigned on the promise of cracking down on illegal immigration and deporting undocumented criminals—a goal the administration has tried to achieve through raids and deportation. But ICE has increasingly arrested and detained immigrants with no criminal history since Trump took office. California has been in the national spotlight recently as the Trump administration carries out major anti-immigrant actions in the state, such as ICE raids in Los Angeles that prompted major protests in the city and a raid consisting of armed agents and troops on horseback, on foot and in humvees at MacArthur Park in LA this week. Why Are Newsom And Dhs Feuding On Social Media? Newsom and DHS, as well as DHS agency CBP and CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, have been in a heated social media exchange centered on the 10 'juveniles' found during the raids. Newsom has condemned ICE and Trump's actions against immigrants for months now, notably condemning Trump's decision to send the National Guard to LA during last month's anti-ICE protests. Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Newsom, called the recent raids 'inhumane' in a statement to Forbes and said that rather than supporting businesses and workers that drive the economy, they 'evoke chaos, fear and terror.'
