The child labour in your cosmetics: New report urges action
The child labour in your cosmetics: New report urges action 1News
sdgtalks
A Report on the Human Cost of the Cosmetics Industry and the Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
A new report has been released, shedding light on the human cost behind the cosmetics industry. The report reveals how children are exploited to produce ingredients for beauty products, some of which may end up in New Zealand.
Child Labor in the Cosmetics Industry
The World Vision report highlights that many imported cosmetics contain ingredients sourced from regions known for child labor. New Zealand imports approximately $370 million worth of cosmetics annually.
Call for Action
There are growing calls for beauty brands and the government to take more significant steps to ensure that products are free from worker exploitation. It is crucial to align these efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
Child Labor in the Production of Beauty Ingredients
The report focuses on the case of two brothers in Uganda who guard their family’s vanilla farm at night, risking their lives to protect the valuable spice from thieves. In a video provided by World Vision, the brothers describe their fear when a thief came to their farm at night, narrowly escaping harm as they sought help.
Ingredients Sourced Through Child Labor
Various ingredients used in beauty products are sourced through child labor, exposing children to hazardous conditions. Some examples include:
- Mica: Mica, which adds shine to lipstick, often comes from India where child labor is prevalent.
- Cocoa: Cocoa, found in products like soap, often comes from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, where an estimated 2.1 million children are currently working.
- Copper: Copper, frequently used in serums, can come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where some children may work up to 12 hours a day.
Advocacy for Change
Rebekah Armstrong, World Vision’s advocacy head, emphasizes that some of these child laborers are as young as three years old and work in dangerous environments. She highlights the need for urgent action to address this issue and achieve the SDGs.
The Role of Government and Companies
The government is currently drafting a law that would require companies to disclose how their products are sourced and address any issues related to worker exploitation. World Vision and Tearfund are calling on the government to prioritize modern slavery legislation before the upcoming election. This legislation would introduce due diligence and transparency in the cosmetics industry.
Some beauty brands have already taken steps to ensure their products are made using responsibly sourced ingredients. For example, local brand Ethique avoids sourcing from countries with red flags and pays fair prices to its producers.
The Importance of Responsible Sourcing
Cosmetics New Zealand, represented by general manager Matha Van Arts, acknowledges the crucial issue of worker exploitation and emphasizes the need for collective action. Consumers, governments, and companies all have a role to play in eradicating modern slavery and ensuring responsible sourcing throughout the supply chain. Cosmetics New Zealand is committed to addressing these issues and will review World Vision’s report to learn from it.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor | – The article mentions child labor in the cosmetics industry, highlighting the exploitation of children in the production of ingredients for beauty products. – The article also calls for beauty brands and the government to do more to ensure products are free of worker exploitation. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment | – The article mentions the use of ingredients such as mica, cocoa, and copper in beauty products, which are often sourced from countries where child labor is prevalent. – The article highlights the need for companies to ensure responsible sourcing of ingredients. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – The article discusses the exploitation of children in the cosmetics industry, highlighting the dangerous and life-threatening conditions they work in. – The article calls for the government to progress modern slavery legislation to address these issues. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: 1news.co.nz
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
