Most of Campeche's Indigenous Children Work Nancy Lopez Sanchez - The News
go to original August 14, 2012

According to several studies, indigenous groups continue to be the most vulnerable demographic in Campeche. Indigenous people account for 12 percent of the population and most live in extreme poverty. Because of a lack of resources, 70 percent of indigenous children take jobs outside their homes at around eight years old, on average.

State Human Rights Commission President Ana Patricia Lara Guerrero said that underage indigenous children are the most vulnerable, and asked authorities to increase inspections of businesses that employ children.

According to the 2010 census, there are 91,094 people in the state over the age of five that speak an indigenous language. The most common languages in Campeche are Maya, Chol, Tzeltal, Kanjobal and Mam. The National Statistics, Geography, and Information Institute (INEGI) reports that 23.9 percent of indigenous residents of the state do not have any income, and that 31.7 percent earn less than Mexico’s daily minimum wage.

A Human Rights Council (CEDH) investigation of indigenous child labor in communities in the municipality of Hopelchén reported that 70 percent of indigenous children work. The CEDH concluded that the region is home to the largest number of indigenous children contributing to the production of goods and services for sale at markets or for family consumption. Thirty percent of children work in small businesses of between six to 10 workers. These businesses generally employ children until the age of 10, when the children begin farming. Children who go to school in the evening usually work in the morning from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., working 36 hours per week. Those who study in the mornings work in the evenings from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and work 18 hours per week.

The Human Rights Commission has proposed creating a plan to help reduce child labor and safeguard the rights of working children.

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