In May 2026, the ILO CLP (International Labour Organization Child Labour Platform) and the RMI established an official partnership. This partnership enables a more proactive response to child labor issues within mineral supply chains.
Overview
Recently, global regulations regarding human rights issues (due diligence obligations) within supply chains have become increasingly stringent.
Conversely, high-risk regions where minerals are actually extracted continue to experience a lack of legal and institutional oversight. Furthermore, as the demand for critical minerals rapidly increases due to the energy and digital transitions, the industry's focus on, and regulatory expectations for, responsible mineral sourcing are rising concurrently.
This partnership was initiated to bridge this gap, aiming to address the challenges of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)—which is particularly vulnerable to child labor—through collaborative efforts between public institutions and the private sector.
Key takeaways
Division of Roles
Under this agreement, the two organizations will divide their roles, leveraging their respective strengths.
ILO CLP: Directly engaging with national governments, local communities, and industry stakeholders to coordinate necessary technical support on the ground.
RMI: Informing member companies of the latest trends regarding child labor and continuously guiding them on how to participate in resolving these issues.
Cooperative Regions and Objectives
The collaborative efforts will focus on the "Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Madagascar," where the ILO currently operates field projects.
The primary objective is to address the root causes of child labor. The core intent is to pave the way for manufacturers utilizing these minerals to directly contribute to improving conditions in the local communities where extraction occurs.
Conclusion
This partnership represents a new milestone in addressing human rights issues within mineral supply chains through cooperation between international organizations and the industry.
We encourage supply chain due diligence professionals to continuously monitor the related guidelines and field updates that the RMI will provide in the future.
MDSKorea will continue to do our best to provide you with valuable information. Thank you.
[Glossary]
| Term | Description |
|---|
ILO CLP
(Child Labour Platform) | International Labour Organization Child Labour Platform |
RMI
(Responsible Minerals Initiative) | An industry association for responsible mineral sourcing with over 500 member companies. |
| ASM (Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining) | Artisanal and small-scale mining. A type of mining where child labor risks are concentrated. |
| Due Diligence | A company's internal inspection process to identify, prevent, and mitigate human rights and environmental risks within the supply chain. |
| DRC | Democratic Republic of the Congo. A major producing region of critical minerals like cobalt and a high-risk area for child labor. |
[References & Links]
In May 2026, the ILO CLP (International Labour Organization Child Labour Platform) and the RMI established an official partnership. This partnership enables a more proactive response to child labor issues within mineral supply chains.
Overview
Recently, global regulations regarding human rights issues (due diligence obligations) within supply chains have become increasingly stringent.
Conversely, high-risk regions where minerals are actually extracted continue to experience a lack of legal and institutional oversight. Furthermore, as the demand for critical minerals rapidly increases due to the energy and digital transitions, the industry's focus on, and regulatory expectations for, responsible mineral sourcing are rising concurrently.
This partnership was initiated to bridge this gap, aiming to address the challenges of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)—which is particularly vulnerable to child labor—through collaborative efforts between public institutions and the private sector.
Key takeaways
Division of Roles
Under this agreement, the two organizations will divide their roles, leveraging their respective strengths.
ILO CLP: Directly engaging with national governments, local communities, and industry stakeholders to coordinate necessary technical support on the ground.
RMI: Informing member companies of the latest trends regarding child labor and continuously guiding them on how to participate in resolving these issues.
Cooperative Regions and Objectives
The collaborative efforts will focus on the "Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Madagascar," where the ILO currently operates field projects.
The primary objective is to address the root causes of child labor. The core intent is to pave the way for manufacturers utilizing these minerals to directly contribute to improving conditions in the local communities where extraction occurs.
Conclusion
This partnership represents a new milestone in addressing human rights issues within mineral supply chains through cooperation between international organizations and the industry.
We encourage supply chain due diligence professionals to continuously monitor the related guidelines and field updates that the RMI will provide in the future.
MDSKorea will continue to do our best to provide you with valuable information. Thank you.
[Glossary]
(Child Labour Platform)
(Responsible Minerals Initiative)
[References & Links]