Glencore DRC projects under fire
BY ELIZABETH FABRI GLENCORE has hosed down industrial union claims of ‘slavery-like conditions’ at its cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In March, IndustriALL Global Union published a ‘fact-finding mission’ report at the request of IndustriALL affiliate TUMEC which described harsh working environments at both the Kamoto Copper Company and Mutanda mines. It alleged workers were only allowed 750ml of drinking water per 12-hour shift and were provided expired food and no “decent eating places” with protection against the elements. It also claimed there was no “proper showers or ablution facilities” at the mines, and had been no salary increase for workers in five years. The union said it had written to Glencore chief executive Ivan…