Introduction
De Beers Child Labour policies have become an important part of the global conversation about responsible diamond sourcing and ethical mining. Child labour remains one of the most significant human rights risks in mineral supply chains, particularly in regions where informal and artisanal mining operate with limited regulatory oversight.
To address these challenges, De Beers has developed workplace human rights standards that align with internationally recognized labour frameworks, including ILO Convention 138 and ILO Convention 182. These policies establish minimum age requirements, prohibit hazardous child labour, and extend labour protections across suppliers and contractors. This article explains how the De Beers Child Labour framework supports international labour standards while also examining the practical challenges of preventing child labour across the diamond industry.
Understanding De Beers Child Labour Policies
The De Beers Child Labour framework is built on the principle that every child has the right to safety, education, and protection from hazardous work. Through its Workplace Human Rights Policy and Best Practice Principles Assurance Programme, De Beers requires its operations and business partners to follow internationally recognized labour standards.
These requirements apply to:
- Direct employees
- Contractors and temporary workers
- Suppliers and Sightholders
- Third-party business partners
By extending these standards throughout its diamond value chain, De Beers aims to strengthen responsible labour practices beyond company-owned mining operations.
ILO Convention 138 and Minimum Working Age
ILO Convention 138 establishes the global minimum age for employment and is one of the key foundations of the De Beers Child Labour policy approach.
The convention generally requires:
- A minimum employment age of 15 years
- 14 years only in limited circumstances within certain developing countries
- 18 years as the minimum age for hazardous work, including underground mining and dangerous industrial activities
For the diamond industry, these standards help ensure that employment does not interfere with a child's education, physical health, or overall development. De Beers states that its employment practices follow the higher standard between national labour legislation and international minimum age requirements.
ILO Convention 182 and the Elimination of Hazardous Child Labour
ILO Convention 182 focuses on eliminating the worst forms of child labour without delay. It prohibits any activity that places children in dangerous, exploitative, or forced working conditions.
The convention includes:
- Child trafficking
- Forced or compulsory child labour
- Debt bondage and slavery-like practices
- Hazardous mining work
- Work that threatens a child's health, safety, or moral development
How De Beers Prevents Child Labour Through Supplier Due Diligence
Preventing De Beers Child Labour risks requires oversight beyond company-owned mines. Since many labour risks exist within wider supply chains, supplier due diligence is an essential part of responsible sourcing.
Key compliance measures include:
- Verification of worker age using official identification documents.
- Supplier commitment to workplace human rights standards.
- Assessments under the Best Practice Principles requirements.
- Independent third-party audits where appropriate.
- Corrective action plans for identified labour violations.
These procedures are designed to improve accountability and reduce the risk of child labour throughout the diamond supply chain.
Best Practice Principles and Responsible Sourcing
The Best Practice Principles Assurance Programme expands ethical oversight beyond conflict-free certification. While the Kimberley Process primarily addresses conflict diamonds, the Best Practice Principles include broader responsibilities relating to labour rights, human rights, environmental management, and business ethics.
Participating organizations are expected to:
- Prohibit child and forced labour
- Follow international labour conventions
- Complete regular compliance assessments
- Participate in independent assurance processes
- Implement corrective actions when necessary
This broader framework supports the De Beers Child Labour strategy by integrating labour protection into responsible sourcing practices.
Community Development and Child Labour Prevention
Child labour is closely linked to poverty, limited educational opportunities, and economic inequality. Alongside workplace policies, De Beers supports community initiatives intended to strengthen education, youth employment, and sustainable local livelihoods within mining regions.
These programmes focus on:
- Expanding access to education
- Supporting youth employment opportunities
- Promoting sustainable community development
- Strengthening local engagement and grievance mechanisms
Addressing these underlying social and economic factors helps reduce the conditions that contribute to child labour in mining communities.
Challenges in Preventing Child Labour Across Diamond Supply Chains
Despite structured corporate policies, De Beers Child Labour prevention remains a complex issue across the global diamond industry. The greatest risks are generally associated with artisanal and small-scale mining, where informal employment and weaker regulatory systems make labour verification more difficult.
The main challenges include:
- Informal mining operations outside direct corporate control
- Limited traceability in high-risk sourcing regions
- Difficulty verifying labour practices across complex supply chains
- Dependence on effective supplier monitoring and remediation
These challenges demonstrate that corporate policies can reduce risk, but broader collaboration with governments, communities, and international organizations remains essential.
Conclusion
The De Beers Child Labour framework reflects a structured approach to protecting children through internationally recognized labour standards. By aligning its policies with ILO Convention 138 and ILO Convention 182, De Beers establishes minimum age requirements, prohibits hazardous child labour, strengthens supplier due diligence, and promotes responsible sourcing throughout its diamond value chain.
Although challenges remain in informal and artisanal mining sectors, continued improvements in age verification, independent auditing, and human rights governance contribute to stronger labour protections across the modern diamond industry.
