A/HRC/18/30
110.
Governments should provide employers with information about affordable
and alternative methods by which to reduce the adverse environmental impact on
water, soil and air. This would benefit the health of the children living around the
mines and quarries. Governments should also provide incentives for employers who
meet environmental safety standards and work with United Nations agencies such as
UNEP and the Global Mercury Project which was set up by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility, which already have
experience in mitigating the environmental impact of gold-mining.
111.
Governments should establish programmes to create awareness in frontier
communities about the health risks they face particularly with regard to handling
toxic chemicals such as mercury, cyanide and lead. The communities should undergo
testing for contamination and those contaminated should be provided with medical
care. Local health workers should be clinically trained on how to prevent, diagnose
and treat contamination. These programmes should also extend to ensure that
workers are made aware of the less visible and long-term negative impact on the
environment (soil, water) which threatens food security and biodiversity.
112.
Governments should provide frontier communities with basic services such
as potable water and sanitary facilities. Governments should also provide health
clinics and ensure that communities can access good-quality health services free of
charge or at an affordable price. This would improve family living and health
conditions and thereby diminish their expenses and their need to bring children to
work with them.
113.
CSOs and international organizations should work to ensure that
alternative childcare services are also available so that mothers are not in a situation
in which they take children with them to the mining and quarrying sites because of
the lack of specific places to take care of children while they are working.
23
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