Responsible Mica Initiative Publishes 2022 Annual Report Detailing Progress in Empowering Communities and Eradicating Child Labor
March 28 2023 - 4:00AM
Business Wire
RMI’s approach scale up and promising steps
towards formalization in India, first steps in Madagascar
The Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) is pleased to announce the
publication of its 2022 Annual Report detailing the organization’s
mission, milestones and key achievements over the course of the
past year.
Since its creation in 2017, RMI has demonstrated to communities
and stakeholders engaged with the mica supply chain that
incremental systemic choices can be decisive in accelerating the
eradication of child labor and poor working conditions, core
components of RMI’s vision. RMI membership has grown to 82
businesses and organizations engaged in the mica supply chain
originating in communities in India and Madagascar.
For six years, RMI has coordinated effort of individuals and
institutions committed to achieving a collective vision. Upstream
of mica supply chains in India, the impact of RMI’s presence and
programs is now visible in 180 mica-dependent villages and in mica
processing units. In Madagascar, RMI first steps are promising.
Downstream, RMI member workstreams fulfill a range of human rights
and related due diligence expectations related to current and
anticipated legal requirements. Along the entire value chain, the
deployment of a landmark blockchain-based traceability platform
enables RMI and its members to closely monitor the sustainability
performance of all actors involved.
In India, the continuous engagement of the RMI team along with
the Jharkhand Mining and Geology Department has led to the
publication of a long awaited “Dhibra Policy,” creating an
opportunity for a sweeping and positive transformation of the mica
ecosystem in the region. Over the year, RMI support of mica
processors in Jharkhand also scaled up with the development of an
extensive set of both on site and e-training modules. Five
third-party audits at processors were conducted with the close
support of the RMI team on the ground. RMI has added 50 villages
under its Community Empowerment Programs, reaching 180 villages and
improving the living conditions of more than 91,000 children and
adults. In its first year in Madagascar, RMI focused its efforts on
developing a deep understanding of the context related to mica
mining. A team is now active in Fort Dauphin, directly in contact
with key stakeholders of the mica supply chain. Already, two
exporters have joined RMI and a few more have also shown great
interest in implementing responsible workplace practices on their
premises.
Looking ahead to 2023, RMI will publish the results of two
landmark reports commissioned to help remove barriers toward the
payment of a living income to mica workers whether employed in mica
collection or at processing units. Building on the recent progress
demonstrated by Jharkhand government, RMI will continue to provide
expertise and support to help implement a model for the
formalization of mica picking and related supply chains in the
state which will include the creation of cooperatives for mica
pickers. The launch of a pilot project in Madagascar will enable
RMI to develop a customized strategy in Madagascar to address mica
related issues in the country and demonstrate the efficacy of RMI’s
holistic approach. In tandem with these developments, RMI will
continue its efforts to leverage existing members and partnerships
and develop new ones which will remain a vital resource for change
in mica mining communities.
About the Responsible Mica Initiative The Responsible
Mica Initiative is a non-governmental organization created to
establish fair, responsible and sustainable mica supply chains
globally by promoting responsible sourcing practices, and
eradicating child labor and unacceptable working conditions. RMI
members are drawn from industries associated with the mica supply
chain in partnership with civil society organizations and local
stakeholders. The Responsible Mica Initiative is an association,
established in accordance with the French Law of 1901 concerning
non-profit organizations, with its head office located in 6 rue
d’Armaillé, 75017 PARIS – France.
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Fanny Frémont, Executive Director Email:
contact@responsible-mica-initiative.com