Three mn child labourers in Mexico: Rights panel
April 28th, 2012 - 12:18 pm ICT by IANSMexico City, April 28 (IANS/EFE) Three million minors between the ages of five and 17 work nationwide, nearly half of whom either receive no compensation or are paid in kind, said Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission, or CNDH.
Most of these youths, who work to cover their basic needs and contribute to household income, are forced to abandon their studies, work excessively long hours and are at constant risk of injury or illness due to poor labour conditions, said the commission in a statement Thursday, citing official figures.
The minors frequently are victims of violence and physical and psychological abuse and mistreatment while working on farms, in commerce and industry, the handicrafts sector and as domestic labourers, the commission added.
The statement, released ahead of the April 30 commemoration of Children’s Day in Mexico, said a national CNDH campaign is seeking to pressure government officials to eliminate the problem.
The commission said in 2011 it distributed more than 100,000 brochures and posters alerting children to their rights and responsibilities and held training workshops and courses at several institutions “to protect children in vulnerable situations and promote respect for their rights”.
“The only way to stamp out child labour, which violates minors’ rights and physical well-being, is through coordinated actions between authorities and society,” the statement said.
–IANS/EFE
rd
- Over 5,000 missing since 2006, says Mexican rights body - Apr 04, 2011
- Mexican rights body probes attack on reporter - May 14, 2012
- Reporter murdered in Mexico - Apr 30, 2012
- Mexican sex-crime prosecutors hire male strippers for party - Jul 16, 2011
- Journalist, two family members murdered in Mexico - Jun 21, 2011
- Mexican study indicates working stunts kids' growth - Apr 30, 2011
- Two mn Mexicans employed as domestic workers - Nov 24, 2011
- Four employees fired for partying with male strippers - Jul 24, 2011
- Playboy model is the talk of Mexican presidential debate - May 08, 2012
- 71 Mexican cities dangerous for migrants: Report - Apr 20, 2011
- Cell phone service restored after outage in Argentina (Lead) - Apr 03, 2012
- Seven girls raped at summer camp in Mexico - Jul 16, 2012
- Spanish singer honoured for gay rights work - Mar 06, 2012
- Thousands of Mexicans protest outsourcing, easy sacking - Apr 02, 2011
- Eva Longoria fights for kids who work in farms - Jul 25, 2011
Tags: authorities, brochures, child labour, child labourers, cndh, commemoration, efe, government officials, handicrafts, household income, human rights commission, institutions, labour conditions, mexico city, national human rights, national human rights commission, psychological abuse, rights and responsibilities, victims of violence, vulnerable situations