Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 2025, Publicación: 114ª reunión CIT (2026)

Convenio sobre la edad mínima, 1973 (núm. 138) - México (Ratificación : 2015)

Article 1 of the Convention. National policy and application of the Convention in practice. The Committee welcomes the efforts made by the Government for the implementation of various measures and action for the eradication of child labour in the country.

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the adoption of the National Development Plan 2025–2030 which, under Objective 3.2, Strategy 3.2.3, provides for the implementation of measures to prevent and eradicate child labour and protect young persons of the permitted age for work throughout the country.

The Committee also notes the numerous activities carried out within the framework of the National Programme for the Protection of Children and Young Persons (PRONAPINNA) and the Labour and Social Welfare Sectoral Programme, and particularly the collaboration with the ILO for the development of administrative records to supplement the National Child Labour Survey (ENTI) and the conclusion of the Mayab Pact for the eradication of child labour. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the implementation of various measures for the eradication of child labour in urban areas, and specifically in Mexico City, including action for the detection and supervision of children involved in child labour, and the strengthening of social support measures, including the Leona Vicario grant. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the specific action taken and the results achieved in the progressive elimination of all forms of child labour, including within the framework of the National Development Plan 2025–2030 and the Mayab Pact, as well as on the impact of the measures taken in urban areas, and particularly in Mexico City.

Article 2(1). Scope of application. Migrant children in agriculture. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the recognition issued by the Secretariat of Labour and Social Welfare to workplaces that are in compliance with national and international labour legislation, entitled the Labour Responsibility Label. The Committee notes in particular that the Labour Responsibility Label includes an agricultural sub-specialization for the prevention, action on and eradication of child labour, within the context of which, between 2022 and 2024, a total of 51 promotional and advisory activities were carried out in agricultural workplaces on the prevention, action on and eradication of child labour, from which over 37,000 workers benefited.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that in July 2024 the Secretariat of Labour, in collaboration with the United Unions for a Modern Mexico (SUCOMM), and with ILO technical assistance, included model clauses to combat child labour in 21 collective agreements, including for the first time three such clauses in the agricultural sector. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures adopted to protect migrant children from child labour and the results achieved in terms of the number of migrant children who benefited from such measures and who have been removed from child labour in agriculture.

Informal economy. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, according to the ENTI 2022, child labour has persisted in informal activities in urban areas as a result, among other reasons, of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, school dropouts and family economic necessity. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures adopted to protect children from child labour in the informal economy, and particularly in urban areas, as well as on the impact and results achieved.

Article 2(3). Age of completion of compulsory schooling. As regards compulsory education and measures to improve the functioning of the educational system as well as statistical information concerning school enrolments, the Committee refers to its detailed comments under the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182).

Article 8. Artistic performances. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Secretariat of Labour and Social Welfare is the authority responsible for issuing individual permits to children under 15 years of age who participate in artistic performances, which must specify the activity, duration, location and times, as well as the persons responsible for their supervision. In this regard, the Government indicates that producers of theatre, cinema, television, commercial and concert performances are required to apply for a permit beforehand. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the legislative provisions which empower the Secretariat of Labour and Social Welfare to issue individual permits for the participation of children under 15 years of age in artistic performances and which determine the content of such permits, and particularly the limitations on the hours during which and the conditions under which such work is allowed. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the number of boys, girls and young persons whose participation in artistic performances has been authorized by the Secretariat of Labour and Social Welfare.