Mexico's Hidden Crisis: Millions of Children Forced to Work

Mexico Child Labor Crisis: 3.7 Million Children Working, INEGI Reports Mexico faces a serious child labor crisis, with 3.7 million children and adolescents currently employed, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). This alarming figure was released on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labor. The majority of these children are boys (60.2%), aged between 15 and 17 years old. Many work in conditions far from ideal, often in jobs not officially permitted. "In our country, 3.7 million children and adolescents work," a narrator states in the Azteca Noticias report. "The majority are men (60.2%) and are between 15 and 17 years old. Many work in inappropriate conditions." The report highlights the prevalence of child labor in various sectors, including domestic service (42.9%), agriculture, commerce, industry, and construction. The video shows children engaged in street vending, begging, and other forms of labor, illustrating the harsh realities faced by many. The INEGI data serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to eradicate child labor in Mexico. The report underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement of labor laws and increased support for vulnerable families to ensure that children have the opportunity to attend school and develop their full potential.