US Department of Labour’s efforts to combat child, forced labour in Mexico

 The US Department of Labor (DOL) has provided up to $12.4 million in grant funding to three organizations to address child and forced labor issues in Mexico. The recipients — Verite, Pan American Development Foundation, and International Labour Organization — will work to combat these practices and support migrant workers.

This marks a significant step, as the DOL’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs had previously found over 17,000 children involved in apparel, footwear and leather production in Mexico. In 2022, Mexico made some progress reducing child labor but it remains a problem, especially in agriculture, domestic work, and drug trafficking.

Over 55% of Mexican employment is informal and lacks sufficient oversight. Labor inspections often only occur in response to complaints. Authorities also lack resources for enforcement and prevention programs.

The new grants will provide $4.4 million to Verite to address child and forced labor locally in Chiapas and San Luis Potosí. An additional $5 million will go to the Pan American Development Foundation to protect workers’ rights in domestic work in Mexico City and Queretaro. The funding considers US obligations under the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.