Playa del Carmen DIF Tackles Child Labor Crisis

CHETUMAL, QR — Through permanent brigades, the System for the Integral Family Development (DIF) of Playa del Carmen has detected cases of child labor and the abandonment of minors, according to its director, Jesús Rodríguez Herrera.

The work teams from the Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) patrol the main commercial zones of the municipal seat, including Fifth Avenue. These actions are carried out in a coordinated manner with the Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC) and the State Attorney General's Office (FGE).

So far this year, 63 cases of child labor have been detected. All minors receive attention through the DIF of Playa del Carmen's 10-17 Program.

The official emphasized that work is conducted not only with the children but also with their families, with the purpose of helping them understand the importance of guaranteeing the comprehensive protection of minors.

Child Labor Cases Detected by DIF of Playa Del Carmen

Rodríguez Herrera stated that no human trafficking mafias operate in Playa del Carmen; the detected cases primarily correspond to families who, due to economic necessity, put their children to work to contribute to the household's sustenance.

"Sometimes, due to their customs, parents consider it normal for their children to work, but we cannot normalize this type of situation," he underscored.

The age of the minors involved in child labor varies from 10 to 17 years. Most arrived in Playa del Carmen with their families, coming from different states, primarily Chiapas.

Rodríguez Herrera indicated that actions are also undertaken to generate awareness among families, through talks and home visits by staff from the DIF of Playa del Carmen's Family Integration Center.

Cases of Abandonment

The DIF of Playa del Carmen also attends to cases of abandonment of minors and elderly adults.

So far this year, the municipal DIF is following up on seven complaints against families who have abandoned minors and elderly persons. The jurisdictional authority will determine the appropriate course of action in each case.

Currently, the municipal authority has 72 children under its care, of which 26 are now institutionalized.

Regarding elderly adults, the majority have been reintegrated with their families; so far this year, there have been eight such cases.

At the Playa del Carmen Elderly Adult Home, follow-up is provided for approximately 70 reports of physical and psychological violence.

Finally, Rodríguez Herrera reiterated that actions in favor of children and vulnerable groups are constant and that all detected cases are attended to by the DIF of Playa del Carmen.