Child labor in Sonora, Mexico, Digi Mart USA News (Sonora, Mexico): Currently, 71,424 girls, boys and adolescents aged 5 to 17 in Sonora are in child labor situations, representing 11.9% of the population in that age group, according to the 2025 National Child Labor Survey (ENTI) conducted by Inegi, Mexico’s national statistics agency.
One of the survey’s most concerning indicators shows that 27,449 adolescents aged 15 to 17 perform hazardous occupations, equivalent to 20.2% of that age group. This places Sonora eighth nationally, above the national average of 14.8%, according to Michelle Lucero, director of Fundación Nueva Generación.
Lucero explained that of the adolescents engaged in hazardous activities, 11,355 do not attend school, representing 41.4%. She also said Inegi counted 35,613 minors in prohibited occupations, either because they are below the minimum working age or because they perform activities that put their safety at risk.
Fundación Nueva Generación Sonora warned that between 2022 and 2025, the state rate of child labor rose from 10.6% to 11.9%, while hazardous occupation increased from 14.77% to 20.24%. The organization called for stronger prevention measures and necessary support to keep work and domestic activities from affecting children’s schooling.
“We are talking about conditions that can put them at risk. For example, being inside the home doing domestic chores for long hours, perhaps caring for younger siblings, in a situation of neglect that harms their development.
Also being in public spaces, such as streets and traffic lights, cleaning windshields or asking for money outside stores, which could also lead them into situations of child exploitation,” she said.
The Procuraduría de Atención a Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes has received around 300 complaints, mainly for lack of care, including cases of minors working on the streets, according to Francisco Javier Cambustón Quijada, deputy director of Child Attention.
Complaints are reviewed to determine the necessary response and actions to protect the minors’ safety. When a child is identified as involved in criminal situations, the agency seeks to provide support and locate their family or close support network.
In cases requiring intervention from other authorities, the agency requests collaboration from the Fiscalía General de Justicia de Sonora.
Regarding minors working on the streets, Diana Cecilia Zazueta Almada of DIF Sonora said protecting their safety is a priority and that coordination is underway with the Secretariat of Labor to guarantee safe conditions and adequate attention. She stressed that minors should not work and that their rights and suitable conditions for development must be guaranteed.
The Procuraduría de Protección de Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes de Sonora receives reports through the following line: 662 108 0605, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
