| | |  Editorials | Issues | June 2009 
In Mexico, Child Labor Denounced
 NOTIMEX
go to original
June 12, 2009
 |  | Statistics show there are 3.3 million child laborers currently in Mexico between the ages of six- and 14-years-old.
- Patricio Flores Sandoval |  | | |
There is little to nothing being done in Mexico and the rest of the world, said PRI Dep. Patricio Flores Sandoval, speaking a day before the observation of International Day Against Child Labor (June 12). The PRI legislator, said steps need to be taken to open up easier ways for reports to be made, as more abuses occur with this social phenomenon during the current economic situation.
Statistics show there are 3.3 million child laborers currently in Mexico between the ages of six- and 14-years-old, which composes a significant contribution to the global child labor workforce, the federal deputy said.
Mexico's child labor force has been put into two categories: legal and illegal. The massive illegal workforce, almost 3 percent of the total population, is under 14-years-old which under Mexican law is banned. The other category includes children between 14- and 16-years-old who can work under certain circumstances according to Mexican law.
The fact that there are kids under 14 working only part-time, during certain seasons of the year, is because certain authorities turn a blind eye to the problem, said Flores Sandoval. The ugly consequence of this and the economic situation inherited by many children between the ages of five and 14, causes about one of every six children within this age group to start working before they can legally enter the workforce.
He did, however mention, that a little over half of child laborers in Mexico are working for a family owned business, in which the family cannot afford to hire an employee to work at their business.
Child labor is employed by many sectors but most children work in agriculture, which represents about 48.2 percent of the child labor force nationwide, according to recent government statistics. Other important sectors with child labor are artisanal shops which account for 20.5 percent of the underage laborers, vendors with 14.2 percent and services companies with 11 percent, according to Flores Sandoval.
The majority of child laborers are concentrated in rural areas of the country with 43 percent of the child laborers logging over 35 hours a week, said the PRI deputy. The economic situation is clearly a fundamental factor in the children's decision to start working at such a young age.
The national Confederation of Mexican Workers, or CTM, union will be holding a forum on child labor and how the problem can be tackled and eliminated in the best possible manner.
Human rights officials acknowledge that the problem has received some attention, but not enough to eliminate it entirely. |
|
| |
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us