Now that April 30, known as Children’s Day, is approaching, it is relevant to mention the existence of the Mexico Without Child Labor Distinction (MEXSTI).

The participation guidelines for those interested in obtaining the MEXSTI were published in the Federal Official Gazette on July 23, 2018. These guidelines aim to establish the procedure that the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare shall carry out to grant the MEXSTI.

The MEXSTI is a recognition by the Federal Government of federal, state and municipal public institutions, as well as private and social sector organizations, union organizations, chamber confederations and employer associations, that have processes, policies, programs and actions that contribute to the prevention and eradication of child labor and the protection of working adolescents with legal age to work in Mexico. In addition, the MEXSTI is an instrument that promotes and strengthens the culture of social responsibility, and continues the structure of a management model for the development of good care practices and protection of the rights of children and adolescents.

The MEXSTI is granted in the month of December to the companies that have registered during the months of January to June, and for the interested companies that participate from June to December, it will be granted in the month of June of the following year. The procedure to obtain the MEXSTI is free and the entire process is done online. The MEXSTI is valid for 3 years as of the delivery date, at the end of which the company that obtained it can renew it.

The benefits of obtaining the MEXSTI for private sector organizations are the following: (i) positioning before their investors, clients, suppliers, authorities and society in general by being recognized as “Without Child Labor” workplaces; (ii) improvement in the insertion and positioning of its products or services in the national and international market; and (iii) potential increase in the commercial value and in the demand for its products or services by guaranteeing the non-use of child labor, among others, in its production processes and in the value chain. Additionally, the MEXSTI has some intrinsic benefits. If a workplace is subject to a labor inspection and has received the MEXSTI, the inspection process is less exhaustive, since the workplace can demonstrate that it is a socially responsible company.

Likewise, the benefits for trade union organizations, civil society, confederations and chambers, as well as employer associations, consist of the following: (i) recognition by the Federal Government and contribution to improving the quality of life of their employees; (ii) contribution to the fulfillment of the international commitments entered into by Mexico regarding the prevention and eradication of child labor; and (iii) visibility of actions before financing organizations, both national and international.

At Trejo Gutiérrez Abogados, we have a group of experts in labor matters with more than 20 years in the market. Please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be glad to provide the personalized legal advice that you require.