Mexico: Protocol to Prevent and Eradicate Child Labour and Protect Adolescent Labour in Permitted Age

The Labour and Social Welfare Ministry has strengthened inspection activities to verify that companies comply with the Protocol to Prevent and Eradicate Child Labour and Protect Adolescent Labour in Permitted Age. Although the Federal Labour Law does not establish a specific format, employers must develop and implement a document that meets the minimum requirements contained in the official protocol. Having an internal protocol in place has become a key inspection point, both for labour authorities and for corporate social responsibility audits.

The Protocol to Prevent and Eradicate Child Labour and Protect Adolescent Labour in Permitted Age, updated by the Labour and Social Welfare Ministry (STPS) in April 2024, sets out the obligations, preventive measures, and inspection criteria designed to ensure that no persons under 15 years of age are employed and that adolescents between 15 and 17 years of age work only under safe and legally permitted conditions. This document serves as an operational guideline for companies to identify, prevent, and correct situations involving child or forced labour within their own operations and supply chains.

The STPS has intensified federal and local inspections to confirm that companies possess a formal, documented protocol that defines how they verify the age of employees, manage documentation and medical certificates, and ensure that adolescents are not assigned to hazardous or restricted activities. Inspectors now request evidence of these controls, including employee records, training materials, and internal communications that show a clear “zero tolerance” policy toward child and forced labour.

Although the Federal Labour Law does not prescribe a specific format for this protocol, the employer’s document must include the minimum elements established by the STPS, such as:

• Procedures for age verification and parental or labour authority authorization when applicable;
• A risk matrix identifying hazardous tasks prohibited for minors;
• Preventive and corrective actions to avoid forced labour, including the prohibition of retaining personal documents or charging recruitment fees;
• Training and awareness programs for employees, supervisors, and suppliers; and
• A confidential and traceable reporting channel for potential cases.

 

In practice, this requirement has become a recurring item in labour inspections, particularly when authorities review compliance with occupational safety standards, working hours, or the employment of minors. Even though the law does not impose an official model, failure to present a compliant and properly implemented protocol may result in sanctions for violations related to the employment of minors under Articles 995 and 995 Bis of the Federal Labour Law.

For companies, adopting this protocol not only ensures legal compliance but also strengthens their corporate image and supply chain integrity. A properly structured document provides clarity to Human Resources, Safety, and Compliance departments on how to act if a minor or forced labour case is detected while demonstrating due diligence and transparency before authorities. In addition, it supports social responsibility certifications and international standards such as those promoted by the International Labour Organization.

Given the recent inspection trends, companies are encouraged to design or update their internal protocols according to the STPS guidelines, integrating preventive measures and traceable documentation systems that prove compliance in both their workforce and that of their contractors and suppliers. Implementing this protocol represents a key preventive tool to ensure dignified work, protect adolescent employees, and eliminate any form of child or forced labour in the workplace.