.
. >>> WE ARE BACK NOW AT 8:12 WITH
>>> WE ARE BACK NOW AT 8:12 WITH SOME EXCLUSIVE NBC INVESTIGATION
SOME EXCLUSIVE NBC INVESTIGATION INTO A MINERAL YOU HAVE LIKELY
INTO A MINERAL YOU HAVE LIKELY NEVER HEARD OF BUT MOST LIKELY
NEVER HEARD OF BUT MOST LIKELY USE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
USE EVERY SINGLE DAY. >> WE’RE TALKING ABOUT MICA,
>> WE’RE TALKING ABOUT MICA, MAGIC MINERAL FOUND IN EVERY
MAGIC MINERAL FOUND IN EVERY PLANE, CAR, CELL PHONE.
PLANE, CAR, CELL PHONE. NBC INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER,
NBC INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER, CYNTHIA McFADDEN IS HERE WITH A
CYNTHIA McFADDEN IS HERE WITH A YEARLONG INVESTIGATION, AND HOW
YEARLONG INVESTIGATION, AND HOW IT IS MINED.
IT IS MINED. GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. THIS IS IT, IT’S HIGH QUALITY
THIS IS IT, IT’S HIGH QUALITY SHEET MICA BROUGHT BACK FROM
SHEET MICA BROUGHT BACK FROM MADAGASCAR, THE WORLD’S LARGEST
MADAGASCAR, THE WORLD’S LARGEST EXPORTER.
EXPORTER. OUR INVESTIGATION TOOK US TO AN
OUR INVESTIGATION TOOK US TO AN AREA FEW OUTSIDERS HAVE EVER
AREA FEW OUTSIDERS HAVE EVER SEEN, TO TELL A STORY NEVER HAVE
SEEN, TO TELL A STORY NEVER HAVE SEEN BEFORE, THE HUMAN COST OF
SEEN BEFORE, THE HUMAN COST OF MINING MICA TWO NBC PRODUCERS
MINING MICA TWO NBC PRODUCERS PORED OVER SHIPPING RECORDS
PORED OVER SHIPPING RECORDS ULTIMATELY JOINING FORCES WITH A
ULTIMATELY JOINING FORCES WITH A LEADING CHILD’S RIGHTS GROUP TO
LEADING CHILD’S RIGHTS GROUP TO DOCUMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT
DOCUMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST
SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN WORK FOR
VULNERABLE CHILDREN WORK FOR PENNIES TO HELP FUEL THE WORLD’S
PENNIES TO HELP FUEL THE WORLD’S DEPENDENCE ON MICA.
DEPENDENCE ON MICA. WE HAVE COME TO MADAGASCAR OFF
WE HAVE COME TO MADAGASCAR OFF THE EAST COAST OF AFRICA, A
THE EAST COAST OF AFRICA, A PLACE KNOWN FOR ITS PHYSICAL
PLACE KNOWN FOR ITS PHYSICAL BEAUTY AND ITS PLAYFUL LEMURS.
BEAUTY AND ITS PLAYFUL LEMURS. TO INVESTIGATE A DECIDEDLY LESS
TO INVESTIGATE A DECIDEDLY LESS PICTURESQUE STORY.
PICTURESQUE STORY. THE OUTRAGEOUS EXPLOITATION OF
THE OUTRAGEOUS EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN TO FUEL THE WORLD’S
CHILDREN TO FUEL THE WORLD’S DEPENDENCE ON MICA.
DEPENDENCE ON MICA. THOSE HOLES YOU SEE ARE ALL
THOSE HOLES YOU SEE ARE ALL NARROW AIRLESS MICA PITS, DUG
NARROW AIRLESS MICA PITS, DUG DEEP INTO THE EARTH.
DEEP INTO THE EARTH. >> HELLO.
>> HELLO. NICE TO MEET YOU.
NICE TO MEET YOU. >> WE MEET LITTLE MARELLA AND
>> WE MEET LITTLE MARELLA AND HER MOTHER SOLONGE.
HER MOTHER SOLONGE. SHE IS 30 YEARS OLD AND HAS SIX
SHE IS 30 YEARS OLD AND HAS SIX CHILDREN.
CHILDREN. THEY SPEND THEIR DAYS MINING
THEY SPEND THEIR DAYS MINING MICA, AND THEIR NIGHTS
MICA, AND THEIR NIGHTS PROTECTING IT.
PROTECTING IT. AND YOU SLEEP HERE WHY.
AND YOU SLEEP HERE WHY. >> WE’RE LEFT HERE OVERNIGHT SO
>> WE’RE LEFT HERE OVERNIGHT SO THEY DON’T STEEL MAIICA.
THEY DON’T STEEL MAIICA. >> Reporter: SHE IS NOT ALONE,
>> Reporter: SHE IS NOT ALONE, AND NEARLY EVERY PIT, CHILDREN
AND NEARLY EVERY PIT, CHILDREN ARE AT WORK.
ARE AT WORK. IT’S 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND
IT’S 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND EVEN HOTTER INSIDE THE MINE.
EVEN HOTTER INSIDE THE MINE. >> THEY WORK AS A FAMILY, THEY
>> THEY WORK AS A FAMILY, THEY STARTED EARLY IN THE MORNING.
STARTED EARLY IN THE MORNING. >> Reporter: WE HAVE COME HERE
>> Reporter: WE HAVE COME HERE WITH SANGDOM, A LAWYER WHOSE
WITH SANGDOM, A LAWYER WHOSE WORK IN INDIA WITH A LEADING
WORK IN INDIA WITH A LEADING CHILD’S RIGHT GROUP HELPED
CHILD’S RIGHT GROUP HELPED EXPOSE THE HORRORS OF CHILDREN
EXPOSE THE HORRORS OF CHILDREN WORKING IN THE MICA MINES THERE,
WORKING IN THE MICA MINES THERE, TOGETHER WILL TRAVEL 400 MILES
TOGETHER WILL TRAVEL 400 MILES THROUGH THE POOREST PART OF THE
THROUGH THE POOREST PART OF THE COUNTRY, A PLACE RARELY SEEN BY
COUNTRY, A PLACE RARELY SEEN BY OUTSIDERS.
OUTSIDERS. A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REPORT ESTIMATES 265,000
REPORT ESTIMATES 265,000 CHILDREN ARE WORKING IN
CHILDREN ARE WORKING IN MADAGASCAR.
MADAGASCAR. OVER 10,000 OF THEM IN THE MICA
OVER 10,000 OF THEM IN THE MICA MINES.
MINES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANYONE
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANYONE HAS TOLD THEIR STORY.
HAS TOLD THEIR STORY. TODAY IS PAYDAY.
TODAY IS PAYDAY. AFTER 2 1/2 MONTHS OF BACK
AFTER 2 1/2 MONTHS OF BACK BREAKING WORK, JOSEPH, THE BUYER
BREAKING WORK, JOSEPH, THE BUYER ARRIVES.
ARRIVES. HELLO, DO YOU HAVE THE MONEY?
HELLO, DO YOU HAVE THE MONEY? TELL ME HOW MANY KILOS IS THIS.
TELL ME HOW MANY KILOS IS THIS. >> Translator: 6 TONS.
>> Translator: 6 TONS. >> FOR 6 TONS OF MICA, THE NINE
>> FOR 6 TONS OF MICA, THE NINE OF THEM WILL RECEIVE A TOTAL OF
OF THEM WILL RECEIVE A TOTAL OF 240 U.S. DOLLARS AND THEY’LL GET
240 U.S. DOLLARS AND THEY’LL GET ABOUT HALF OF IT AS JOSEPH
ABOUT HALF OF IT AS JOSEPH DEDUCTS THE COST OF THEIR FOOD,
DEDUCTS THE COST OF THEIR FOOD, A VICIOUS CYCLE.
A VICIOUS CYCLE. >> Reporter: IT’S SO PRECIOUS TO
>> Reporter: IT’S SO PRECIOUS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD AND THE
THE REST OF THE WORLD AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY DOING
PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK GET SO LITTLE OF THE
THE WORK GET SO LITTLE OF THE MONEY.
MONEY. PRECIOUS AND CRITICAL TO THE
PRECIOUS AND CRITICAL TO THE AEROSPACE, ELECTRONICS AND
AEROSPACE, ELECTRONICS AND AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES BECAUSE
AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES BECAUSE MICA IS A NATURAL INSULATOR THAT
MICA IS A NATURAL INSULATOR THAT WON’T OVERHEAT EVEN IN EXTREME
WON’T OVERHEAT EVEN IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES.
TEMPERATURES. HOW MUCH IS USED WORLDWIDE, A
HOW MUCH IS USED WORLDWIDE, A MASSIVE AMOUNT.
MASSIVE AMOUNT. CONSIDER JUST THE AUTOMOBILE
CONSIDER JUST THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY.
INDUSTRY. BY ONE ESTIMATE, EVERY CAR HAS
BY ONE ESTIMATE, EVERY CAR HAS AT LEAST 15,000 PARTS THAT
AT LEAST 15,000 PARTS THAT CONTAIN MICA.
CONTAIN MICA. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FACT
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOUR WORK IS GOING TO
THAT YOUR WORK IS GOING TO GENERATE SO MUCH MONEY FOR
GENERATE SO MUCH MONEY FOR SOMEBODY ELSE?
SOMEBODY ELSE? >> THEY DON’T HAVE ANY MONEY.
>> THEY DON’T HAVE ANY MONEY. THEY DON’T HAVE ANY CHOICE.
THEY DON’T HAVE ANY CHOICE. >> WHO CONTROLS MOST OF THE
>> WHO CONTROLS MOST OF THE WORLD’S MICA, CHINA.
WORLD’S MICA, CHINA. OVER 90% OF THE MICA MINED IN
OVER 90% OF THE MICA MINED IN MADAGASCAR WILL END UP THERE.
MADAGASCAR WILL END UP THERE. DO YOU THINK THE CHINDSESE ARE
DO YOU THINK THE CHINDSESE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PEOPLE
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING HARD WORK?
WHO ARE DOING HARD WORK? >> THAT’S VERY CLEAR, YES.
>> THAT’S VERY CLEAR, YES. >> Reporter: FOR SOLONGE AND HER
>> Reporter: FOR SOLONGE AND HER FAMILY THIS IS AN ENDLESS
FAMILY THIS IS AN ENDLESS PROCESS OF TURNING ROCKS INTO
PROCESS OF TURNING ROCKS INTO FOOD AS BEST THEY CAN.
FOOD AS BEST THEY CAN. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AMERICANS KNOW ABOUT THE MICA IN
AMERICANS KNOW ABOUT THE MICA IN THEIR CARS, IN THE PLANES THEY
THEIR CARS, IN THE PLANES THEY FLY IN, IN THEIR PHONES.
FLY IN, IN THEIR PHONES. >> Translator: PEOPLE OVERSEAS
>> Translator: PEOPLE OVERSEAS ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE
ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE WITH THEIR OWN EYES, THE
WITH THEIR OWN EYES, THE CONDITIONS, THEY SHOULD BE
CONDITIONS, THEY SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT GETTING A FAIRER
THINKING ABOUT GETTING A FAIRER PRICE BECAUSE THEY’RE SUFFERING.
PRICE BECAUSE THEY’RE SUFFERING. >> Reporter: THE SUFFERING
>> Reporter: THE SUFFERING EXTENDS BEYOND THE MINES AT
EXTENDS BEYOND THE MINES AT PROCESSING CENTERS, TINY
PROCESSING CENTERS, TINY CHILDREN ARE AT WORK.
CHILDREN ARE AT WORK. TURN AROUND RIGHT OVER HERE.
TURN AROUND RIGHT OVER HERE. THERE ARE YOUNG CHILDREN.
THERE ARE YOUNG CHILDREN. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF WE
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF WE CAN TALK TO SOME OF THE KIDS.
CAN TALK TO SOME OF THE KIDS. SO THESE LITTLE CHILDREN ARE
SO THESE LITTLE CHILDREN ARE WORKING HERE.
WORKING HERE. THEY SPLIT THE MICA, THEY TRY TO
THEY SPLIT THE MICA, THEY TRY TO FIND MICA PIECES.
FIND MICA PIECES. >> THE TINY FINGERS ARE GOOD FOR
>> THE TINY FINGERS ARE GOOD FOR THAT.
THAT. >> Reporter: WE NOTICE A MOTHER
>> Reporter: WE NOTICE A MOTHER AND FOUR CHILDREN WORKING IN THE
AND FOUR CHILDREN WORKING IN THE SHADE OF AN OLD TRUCK.
SHADE OF AN OLD TRUCK. .
. SO HOW MANY HOURS A DAY DO YOU
SO HOW MANY HOURS A DAY DO YOU DO THIS?
DO THIS? >> Translator: SO SHE WORKS HERE
>> Translator: SO SHE WORKS HERE FROM FIVE TO SIX IN THE
FROM FIVE TO SIX IN THE AFTERNOON.
AFTERNOON. >> Reporter: FIVE IN THE MORNING
>> Reporter: FIVE IN THE MORNING UNTIL SIX IN THE AFTERNOON.
UNTIL SIX IN THE AFTERNOON. HER CHILDREN WORK THE SAME
HER CHILDREN WORK THE SAME HOURS.
HOURS. THE FAMILY EARNS LESS THAN $3
THE FAMILY EARNS LESS THAN $3 PER WEEK.
PER WEEK. THEY SHARE A CUP OF RICE PER
THEY SHARE A CUP OF RICE PER DAY.
DAY. >> ONE CUP OF RICE FOR FIVE OF
>> ONE CUP OF RICE FOR FIVE OF THEM.
THEM. >> Reporter: IS YOUR POSITION
>> Reporter: IS YOUR POSITION THAT THE BOYCOTTS ARE THE
THAT THE BOYCOTTS ARE THE ANSWER.
ANSWER. >> IT’S NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE
>> IT’S NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, IF THE CONSUMERS STOP
PROBLEM, IF THE CONSUMERS STOP BUYING, THEY DON’T HAVE ANYTHING
BUYING, THEY DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT.
TO EAT. THEY ARE GOING TO LITERALLY
THEY ARE GOING TO LITERALLY STARVE.
STARVE. WE WANT THE COMPANIES TO TAKE
WE WANT THE COMPANIES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN FINDING THE
RESPONSIBILITY IN FINDING THE TRACES FROM THERE, THEY ARE
TRACES FROM THERE, THEY ARE SOURCED IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER.
SOURCED IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER. >> Reporter: IF THIS DOESN’T
>> Reporter: IF THIS DOESN’T MOVE PEOPLE, I DON’T KNOW WHAT
MOVE PEOPLE, I DON’T KNOW WHAT WILL.
WILL. THE ONLY WAY THESE CHILDREN WILL
THE ONLY WAY THESE CHILDREN WILL HAVE A SHOT AT A LIFE OUTSIDE OF
HAVE A SHOT AT A LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE MINORS IS IF COMPANIES ARE
THE MINORS IS IF COMPANIES ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, COMPANIES LIKE
HELD ACCOUNTABLE, COMPANIES LIKE TRY H WHERE JOSEPH TAKES
TRY H WHERE JOSEPH TAKES SOLANGE’S MICAH.
SOLANGE’S MICAH. THE MANAGER ADMITS THE CHILDREN
THE MANAGER ADMITS THE CHILDREN DIGGING FOR MICA ARE WORKING IN
DIGGING FOR MICA ARE WORKING IN DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT
DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
CIRCUMSTANCES. >> Translator: SO HE’S SAYING,
>> Translator: SO HE’S SAYING, YES, THE KIDS USED TO WORKING.
YES, THE KIDS USED TO WORKING. IT’S NOT THEIR PROBLEM OR THEIR
IT’S NOT THEIR PROBLEM OR THEIR FAULT.
FAULT. IT’S THE FAULT OF THE PARENT’S
IT’S THE FAULT OF THE PARENT’S CHILDREN.
CHILDREN. >> Reporter: YOU DON’T WANT YOUR
>> Reporter: YOU DON’T WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO DO THAT, I DON’T
CHILDREN TO DO THAT, I DON’T WANT MY CHILDREN TO DO THAT, WHY
WANT MY CHILDREN TO DO THAT, WHY IS IT OKAY FOR THESE CHILDREN TO
IS IT OKAY FOR THESE CHILDREN TO DO THAT?
DO THAT? >> Translator: HE’S GIVEN THEM
>> Translator: HE’S GIVEN THEM MASKS, GLASSES AND GLOVES, BUT
MASKS, GLASSES AND GLOVES, BUT THEY’RE NOT USING THEM.
THEY’RE NOT USING THEM. >> Reporter: HE TELLS US MICA
>> Reporter: HE TELLS US MICA MINING IS A POOR MAN’S BUSINESS
MINING IS A POOR MAN’S BUSINESS BUT MICA PRODUCTS ARE PART OF A
BUT MICA PRODUCTS ARE PART OF A BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY.
BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY. HE ALSO TELLS US HE CAN’T KEEP
HE ALSO TELLS US HE CAN’T KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FROM CHINA.
UP WITH THE DEMAND FROM CHINA. OUR INVESTIGATION REVEALS A
OUR INVESTIGATION REVEALS A STUNNING REALITY, BUT THE TIME
STUNNING REALITY, BUT THE TIME SOLANGE’S MICA LEAVES THE PORT,
SOLANGE’S MICA LEAVES THE PORT, IT HAS ALREADY BEEN MARKED UP AS
IT HAS ALREADY BEEN MARKED UP AS MUCH AS 500%.
MUCH AS 500%. ONCE IN CHINA, MANUFACTURERS
ONCE IN CHINA, MANUFACTURERS THERE TURN IT INTO PARTS FOR A
THERE TURN IT INTO PARTS FOR A VARIETY OF COMPANIES INCLUDING
VARIETY OF COMPANIES INCLUDING PANASONIC AND ELECTRO LOCK.
PANASONIC AND ELECTRO LOCK. PROVIDING BATTERY INSULATION TO
PROVIDING BATTERY INSULATION TO THE MILITARY.
THE MILITARY. THEY SAY OUR FINDINGS ARE
THEY SAY OUR FINDINGS ARE DISTURBING.
DISTURBING. AND THAT THEY HAVE REACHED OUT
AND THAT THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO THEIR SUPPLIER.
TO THEIR SUPPLIER. PANASONIC SAYS THEIR GUIDELINES
PANASONIC SAYS THEIR GUIDELINES PROHIBIT CHILD LABOR.
PROHIBIT CHILD LABOR. WE ALSO TRACKED MADAGASCAR MICA
WE ALSO TRACKED MADAGASCAR MICA TO CRRC, THE WORLD’S LARGEST
TO CRRC, THE WORLD’S LARGEST TRAIN MAKER, OWNED BY THE
TRAIN MAKER, OWNED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
CHINESE GOVERNMENT. CRRC MADE OVER $1.5 BILLION IN
CRRC MADE OVER $1.5 BILLION IN PROFITS LAST YEAR.
PROFITS LAST YEAR. THEY ARE CURRENTLY MANUFACTURING
THEY ARE CURRENTLY MANUFACTURING TRAINS FOR AMERICAN CITIES,
TRAINS FOR AMERICAN CITIES, INCLUDING BOSTON.
INCLUDING BOSTON. WE GO TO THEIR SPRINGFIELD,
WE GO TO THEIR SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, CITY, WHERE
MASSACHUSETTS, CITY, WHERE EXECUTIVES SHOW US THE SHELLS
EXECUTIVES SHOW US THE SHELLS THAT ARRIVE FROM CHINA.
THAT ARRIVE FROM CHINA. >> AS QUITE A LOT OF THE
>> AS QUITE A LOT OF THE PROPULSION EQUIPMENT.
PROPULSION EQUIPMENT. >> Reporter: WE SHARE THE
>> Reporter: WE SHARE THE FINDINGS OF OUR INVESTIGATION
FINDINGS OF OUR INVESTIGATION WITH THEM.
WITH THEM. THE SHELLS ARE LOADED WITH MICA,
THE SHELLS ARE LOADED WITH MICA, IN PART SOURCED FROM MADAGASCAR.
IN PART SOURCED FROM MADAGASCAR. >> I JUST WANT TO SHOW YOU WHO’S
>> I JUST WANT TO SHOW YOU WHO’S DOING THE MINING AND TELL YOU
DOING THE MINING AND TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT THEIR LIVES ARE LIKE.
ABOUT WHAT THEIR LIVES ARE LIKE. WE SHOWED THEM THE IMAGES OF THE
WE SHOWED THEM THE IMAGES OF THE CHILDREN.
CHILDREN. THEY SAY THEY HAD NO IDEA.
THEY SAY THEY HAD NO IDEA. >> Reporter: NOW THAT YOU DO
>> Reporter: NOW THAT YOU DO KNOW THAT, DOES THIS COMPANY
KNOW THAT, DOES THIS COMPANY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO
HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?
SOMETHING ABOUT IT? DO YOU CARE?
DO YOU CARE? >> YEAH.
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: YOU DO CARE?
>> Reporter: YOU DO CARE? >> Translator: OF COURSE WE
>> Translator: OF COURSE WE CARE.
CARE. WE HAVE TO DO SOME INVESTIGATION
WE HAVE TO DO SOME INVESTIGATION WITH OUR SUPPLIERS.
WITH OUR SUPPLIERS. >> Reporter: WILL YOU GET BACK
>> Reporter: WILL YOU GET BACK TO US?
TO US? >> YEAH.
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: THEY DID, SAYING
>> Reporter: THEY DID, SAYING THEY SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE
THEY SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE SOURCING AND ENCOURAGE SUPPLIERS
SOURCING AND ENCOURAGE SUPPLIERS TO INVESTIGATE.
TO INVESTIGATE. BUT THE MICA SUPPLY CHAIN IS
BUT THE MICA SUPPLY CHAIN IS NOTORIOUSLY HARD TO PENETRATE
NOTORIOUSLY HARD TO PENETRATE BEYOND CHINA, SOME MICA MINED IN
BEYOND CHINA, SOME MICA MINED IN MADAGASCAR BY CHILDREN FLOWS
MADAGASCAR BY CHILDREN FLOWS INTO A STREAM OF OFTEN ILLEGALLY
INTO A STREAM OF OFTEN ILLEGALLY MINED MICA FROM INDIA.
MINED MICA FROM INDIA. FIGURING OUT WHERE THAT MICA
FIGURING OUT WHERE THAT MICA ENDS UP IS OFTEN IMPOSSIBLE.
ENDS UP IS OFTEN IMPOSSIBLE. THIS MUCH WE CAN SAY, THE
THIS MUCH WE CAN SAY, THE AEROSPACE AND AUTOMOBILE
AEROSPACE AND AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES DEPEND ON PRODUCTS
INDUSTRIES DEPEND ON PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN SHEET MICA.
THAT CONTAIN SHEET MICA. MADAGASCAR IS THE NUMBER ONE
MADAGASCAR IS THE NUMBER ONE PRODUCER OF SHEET MICA IN THE
PRODUCER OF SHEET MICA IN THE WORLD.
WORLD. ALL OF WHICH RAISES IMPORTANT
ALL OF WHICH RAISES IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR MAJOR COMPANIES.
QUESTIONS FOR MAJOR COMPANIES. MEANWHILE, IN MADAGASCAR, DEEP
MEANWHILE, IN MADAGASCAR, DEEP INSIDE A BAT FILLED CAVE, LITTLE
INSIDE A BAT FILLED CAVE, LITTLE MINERS ARE STILL AT WORK.
MINERS ARE STILL AT WORK. >> HOW OLD ARE THEY?
>> HOW OLD ARE THEY? >> Translator: 8.
>> Translator: 8. >> Translator: 10.
>> Translator: 10. >> THIS IS WHERE THEY SPEND
>> THIS IS WHERE THEY SPEND EVERY SINGLE DAY.
EVERY SINGLE DAY. DIGGING, SIFTING, HAULING MICA.
DIGGING, SIFTING, HAULING MICA. NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM GOES TO
NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM GOES TO SCHOOL.
SCHOOL. MANU IS 10 YEARS OLD BUT ALREADY
MANU IS 10 YEARS OLD BUT ALREADY A VETERAN.
A VETERAN. HE HAS WORKED HERE SINCE HE WAS
HE HAS WORKED HERE SINCE HE WAS 8.
8. LITTLE WONDER, HE SAYS, HIS BACK
LITTLE WONDER, HE SAYS, HIS BACK AGES.
AGES. BUT THAT DOESN’T STOP HIM OR
BUT THAT DOESN’T STOP HIM OR THOUSANDS OF OTHERS TO SURVIVE
THOUSANDS OF OTHERS TO SURVIVE THEY MUST DIG.
THEY MUST DIG. EVERY BREATH, EVERY DAY.
EVERY BREATH, EVERY DAY. LACED WITH MICA.
LACED WITH MICA. IT IS WHAT THEY HAVE.
IT IS WHAT THEY HAVE. IT IS ALL THEY HAVE.
IT IS ALL THEY HAVE. IT’S HEARTBREAKING BUT IT IS NOT
IT’S HEARTBREAKING BUT IT IS NOT HOPELESS.
HOPELESS. TWO NOT FOR PROFIT GROUPS WE
TWO NOT FOR PROFIT GROUPS WE WORKED WITH ON THE GROUND WERE
WORKED WITH ON THE GROUND WERE SO MOVED BY WHAT THEY SAW,
SO MOVED BY WHAT THEY SAW, THEY’RE GOING TO HELP.
THEY’RE GOING TO HELP. CREATING SAFE DAY CARE FOR
CREATING SAFE DAY CARE FOR CHILDREN AT SOME OF THE MINES WE
CHILDREN AT SOME OF THE MINES WE VISITED, AND UNICEF IS GOING TO
VISITED, AND UNICEF IS GOING TO BE PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL
BE PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.
MATERIALS. IF YOU WANT TO HELP THEM HELP
IF YOU WANT TO HELP THEM HELP THE KIDS, COME TO TODAY.COM.
THE KIDS, COME TO TODAY.COM. NOW AS THE SEVEN COMPANIES WE
NOW AS THE SEVEN COMPANIES WE REFERENCED AT THE END OF OUR
REFERENCED AT THE END OF OUR STORY, FOUR RESPONDED SAYING
STORY, FOUR RESPONDED SAYING THEY ARE COMMITTED TO HUMAN
THEY ARE COMMITTED TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND TRANSPARENCY WITHIN
RIGHTS AND TRANSPARENCY WITHIN THEIR SUPPLY CHAINS AND THEY
THEIR SUPPLY CHAINS AND THEY ENCOURAGE THEIR SUPPLIERS TO BE
ENCOURAGE THEIR SUPPLIERS TO BE AS WELL.
AS WELL. >> WOW.
>> WOW. >> YOU’RE JUST KIND OF
>> YOU’RE JUST KIND OF OVERWHELMED BY THE NEED BUT WHAT
OVERWHELMED BY THE NEED BUT WHAT CAN BE DONE, I MEAN, YOU’RE
CAN BE DONE, I MEAN, YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT MICA GOES ALL OVER
TALKING ABOUT MICA GOES ALL OVER AND IT’S HARD TO TRACE, BUT
AND IT’S HARD TO TRACE, BUT MADAGASCAR IS ONE OF ITS PRIMARY
MADAGASCAR IS ONE OF ITS PRIMARY SOURCES.
SOURCES. >> YES.
>> YES. AND WE HAVE TRACED A LOT OF IT
AND WE HAVE TRACED A LOT OF IT BACK, AND SO THERE ARE SERIOUS
BACK, AND SO THERE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS FOR MANY OF THESE BIG
QUESTIONS FOR MANY OF THESE BIG COMPANIES.
COMPANIES. THE WORST THING WOULD BE IF WE
THE WORST THING WOULD BE IF WE WENT PAWS UP AND WENT WE JUST
WENT PAWS UP AND WENT WE JUST CAN’T DO ANYTHING.
CAN’T DO ANYTHING. WE TOOK THE RESULTS OF OUR
WE TOOK THE RESULTS OF OUR INVESTIGATION TO WASHINGTON.
INVESTIGATION TO WASHINGTON. TONIGHT ON NIGHTLY NEWS, YOU’LL
TONIGHT ON NIGHTLY NEWS, YOU’LL HEAR TWO SENATORS WHO SAY THEY
HEAR TWO SENATORS WHO SAY THEY BELIEVE OUR SORRY IS GOING TO
BELIEVE OUR SORRY IS GOING TO HELP THEM TIGHTEN UP RULES ABOUT
HELP THEM TIGHTEN UP RULES ABOUT CHILD LABOR AND THEY WANT TO ASK
CHILD LABOR AND THEY WANT TO ASK SOME VERY BIG COMPANIES SOME
