A Poisonous Mix - Human Rights Watch

thirds of child laborers surveyed in Malian artisanal mines are migrants. 187 A regional
survey about artisanal mining found that 10 percent of child laborers in artisanal mines in
Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso were foreigners from other West African countries who
lived in the mines without their parents. 188
During our research, we met several children who were victims of exploitation and whose
situations might have amounted to trafficking. One was Boubacar S., 14, from Sensoko, in
the Kéniéba area, whose situation is described above. 189 He was living with guardians who
treated him “as if I am not a human being.” They forced him to work in artisanal mining
and brick making. His parents were gold miners who moved to another gold mine in Mali;
they were not in contact with him. 190
Human Rights Watch also interviewed children from Burkina Faso and Guinea who might
have been victims of trafficking. Salif E., 15, was sent from Burkina Faso to Mali by his
parents, and travelled to Worognan mine with two other boys who were relatives. They
were accompanied by the head of the Burkinabe community, who was Salif’s uncle, and
they also worked for him. 191 When we interviewed Salif, he had been in the mine for about
three weeks and had not yet been paid.
Leaders of migrant communities play a key role in organizing life of the foreign mining
workers. 192 The head of the Burkinabe community in Worognan, Salif E.’s uncle, explained
that around 60 persons were working for him. A local gold trader confirmed that he
employed several children. 193
Coercion
The majority of children in child labor dislike the work they do, but do it to help their
parents, according to a recent survey. 194 Even when children are not victims of trafficking,
they often experience a degree of coercion when working in artisanal mining. The decision
to send children to work in the mines—whether by themselves, with the family, or other
187 ILO, “Etude transfrontalière sur le travail des enfants dans l’orpaillage,” pp. 34-35.
188 Save the Children, “Recherche sur les enfants travailleurs,” pp. 37-38.
189 See subsection on pay.
190 Human Rights Watch interview with Boubacar S., estimated age 14, Sensoko, April 4, 2011.
191 Human Rights Watch interview with Salif E., age 15, Worognan, April 9, 2011.
192 ILO, “Etude transfrontalière sur le travail des enfants dans l’orpaillage,” p. 60.
193 Human Rights Watch interview with head of Burkinabe community, Worognan, April 9, 2011; Human Rights Watch
interview with gold trader, Worognan, April 9, 2011.
194 ILO/IPEC, “Etude CAP”, p. 44.
A POISONOUS MIX 46