STPS Unveils Initiatives Targeting Child Labor, Gender Equality

The Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) has introduced novel compliance protocols pertaining to child labor and gender equality, which are now subject to inspection. These protocols are designed to enforce adherence to both national and international labor standards, specifically targeting the eradication of child labor and the promotion of gender equality within the labor market.

The inspection protocols, including the Inspection Protocol to Prevent and Eradicate Child Labor, Protect Adolescent Labor in Permissible Age, and the Protocol for Labor Inspection with a Gender Perspective, are slated to become integral components of routine labor inspections, as reported by STPS. This integration is applicable across various domains such as general working conditions, safety and hygiene, or training, all under federal jurisdiction. Targeted labor inspections are emphasized due to their efficacy in identifying and rectifying systemic issues.

The first protocol focuses on establishing procedures for labor inspectors to prevent, detect, and eradicate child labor during workplace inspections. It draws from both national and international regulations, including the Mexican Constitution, the Federal Labor Law (LFT), ILO Convention 138 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, and Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor. The protocol aims to ensure compliance with international standards such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Key indicators for inspection include verifying the presence of children under 15 in the workplace, ensuring adolescents aged 15 to 18 are not engaged in hazardous or unhealthy work, and confirming the existence of employment contracts and adequate conditions for young workers. By enforcing these standards, societies can mitigate the risks of exploitation and ensure that young workers receive fair treatment and opportunities for their development.

Globally, approximately 160 million children are involved in child labor, as reported by the United Nations. According to the INEGI's National Survey of Child Labor (ENTI) 2022, about 3.73 million children and adolescents aged five to 17 were engaged in economic activities in Mexico in 2022. Of these, 1.81 million were found to be working in non-permitted occupations.

The second protocol was designed to ensure gender equality in the workplace and combat discrimination, violence, and harassment at work. Key indicators include verifying wage equality between men and women, the presence of measures to prevent and address sexual violence and harassment, as well as safe working conditions for pregnant or lactating women. Additionally, the evaluation encompasses the implementation of policies promoting equality and non-discrimination within workplace regulations.

These protocols, a result of inter-institutional collaboration, were initiated by the Dignified Work Unit, led by the General Directorate of Federal Labor Inspection, and the General Directorate of Social Security, with valuable support from the American Institutes for Research (AIR). They represent a concerted effort towards improving labor conditions and promoting equity in Mexico.