Cosmetic companies: the child labour issue impacting on child trafficking

Writes Asclepius, Content writer, Headline Diplomat eMagazine, LUDCI.eu
Increasing demand for natural beauty products across the world could be a catalyst of modern slavery, especially child labour. Consumers want more flavours in their makeup kits. Ingredients such as cocoa, vanilla, and mineral mica are sourced using child labour. Hence cosmetics companies that are increasing the number of natural ingredients in their products are indirectly fuelling child labour. In an interview with Donna Westerman head of consumer goods at Maplecroft, told Reuters that “the cosmetic supply chain is extremely complex and loosely regulated”. Cosmetics companies are making huge profits from the strong demand for skincare products. The demand started its upward spiral with the desire of young people to look good on social media.

India is responsible for about a quarter of the world’s production of mica. Mica can be found in almost every cosmetic or beauty item. It is the ingredient responsible for the sheen, highlight, gloss, and glitter in these items. However, the glitter and gloss in our makeup come at the costs of the future, childhood, and lives of several thousands of children in regions...