Five of the world's largest tech companies are being sued over the deaths and injuries of Congolese children mining for cobalt. It's a key component of the batteries used in smartphones, tablets, laptops and electric cars.
The complaint states that the children, some as young as 6,"are not merely being forced to work full-time, extremely dangerous mining jobs at the expense of their educations and futures; they are being regularly maimed and killed by tunnel collapses and other known hazards common to cobalt mining."
An undated photo shows a young miner digging for cobalt inside the CDM Kasulo mine in Kolwezi, D.R.C. The families are seeking compensation for the alleged forced labor, unjust enrichment, negligent supervision and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A research team is continuing to investigate other tech and car companies and expects to add additional firms to the lawsuit.who is a professor at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia.
PHOTO: A Unidentified boys go to work on Dec. 13, 2005 in Ruashi mine about 20 kilometers outside Lubumbashi, Congo, D.R.C.When asked for comment Wednesday, a Google spokesperson told ABC News in a statement that"child labor and endangerment is unacceptable and our Supplier Code of Conduct strictly prohibits this activity."
A Dell spokesperson told ABC News that the company is"currently investigating these allegations, and have informed the Responsible Minerals Initiative."
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