AMERICA/MEXICO - Three million child workers, and 27% suffer from extreme poverty

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - On the occasion of Children's Day, established by the United Nations on 30 April, the Mexican authorities have committed themselves to strengthening the struggle for the defense of children's rights. In the country there are more than 3 million child workers (out of a population of about 120 million people), 40% of whom do not attend school. There are also many who experience violence and suffer from obesity due to malnutrition. Approximately one million, 30% of the total, work in the agricultural sector.
According to the latest official reports, the total number of children living in rural areas, especially indigenous people, almost 27%, suffer from extreme poverty. According to UN figures, two children under 14 years of age die every day in Mexico due to violence and abuse. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 29/04/2014)