List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor

There are reports that children as young as age 6 are engaged in the production of copper in Zambia. Reports from news organizations, NGOs, and government officials have confirmed the presence of child labor in copper mines. Children who mine copper are exposed to several hazards, including carrying heavy loads, crushing stones, digging with their hands or sharp tools, and manually carrying ore from dangerous underground tunnels that could collapse at any time. This work is often done with no PPE, minimal food, and in unsanitary conditions where children endure verbal and physical abuse. According to reports, as many as 30% of children in mining regions work in mining, including extracting copper. In many cases children drop out of school to work at these mines to help support their families, and some are recruited by local gangs.

There are reports that children as young as 8 are engaged in the production of gold in Zimbabwe. Child labor occurs at unregulated artisanal and small-scale gold mining sites, including riverbeds in Mudzi and Mazowe. Sources estimated that thousands of children are working at gold mining sites and doing various work activities, including panning and sieving gold around riverbeds, digging and drilling in pit areas, and collecting and carrying gold ore. Children engaged in gold production in Zimbabwe work in hot climate conditions, lack proper protective equipment, and face exposure to dangerous chemicals, such as mercury. According to NGO reports, at least two children died during a mine shaft collapse.

There are reports that children as young as age 9 produce sugarcane in Zimbabwe.  Multiple local media reports identify cases of children working on sugarcane farms, particularly on outgrower farms in Masvingo Province, which is the main area for sugarcane cultivation in Zimbabwe.  One source estimates that there are as many as 10,000 children working in the sector.  Children working on farms producing sugarcane perform tasks related to irrigation, the cutting of sugarcane, and guarding crops.  Children perform work at night and engage in hazardous activities, such as using machetes and chasing away wild animals.  Many child laborers working in sugarcane production do not attend school because of their work.

There are reports that children produce tobacco in Zimbabwe.  According to Human Rights Watch and local media reports, there are numerous cases of children working on tobacco farms in Zimbabwe’s northeastern provinces, including Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, and Manicaland.  There are reports of increasing numbers of children working on small, non-commercial farms.  In many cases, children drop out of school to work on tobacco farms.  Children perform hazardous forms of work, including mixing, handling, and spraying pesticides.  Children also experience adverse health effects related to exposure to nicotine, which enters their bodies through the skin during the handling of tobacco.

There are reports that children are involved in Zimbabwe’s lithium mining. Children work in artisanal and small-scale lithium mines in the provinces of Midlands, Manicaland, and Mashonaland East. It is estimated that hundreds of children are involved in lithium mining. Children who mine lithium often help their parents carry lithium ore or perform hazardous tasks including the use of hammers and chisels to break rock into a form to be sold to formal lithium companies.