Five out of every 10 working children in Mexico do not get paid

Even though child labor in Mexico is decreasing, the problem persists and limits the development of 2.53 million children and teenagers who work for low wages or even for free.

According to the Child Labor Module 2013 prepared by the National Statistics Institute (INEGI), five of every 10 children and teenagers do not receive a salary, i.e. 1.16 million children.

Also 719,000 children get paid the minimum wage or less for their work (2,200 pesos per month – US$120), and only 31,000 children make more than three minimum wages (6,600 pesos - US$360).

In Mexico children under 16 years can not work more than six hours per day; however, 29.3% of the population aged between five and 17 work 35 or more hours a week, i.e. about 742,000 children and teenagers.

The study also revealed that 23.3% of children work to pay for their school and their own expenses; 22.5% because their family needs their income and 22.4% for fun or to help. Six out of every 10 work for a relative.

Thirty per cent of children work in the agricultural industry, 25% in trade and 24.6% in the service industry.