The International Labor Organization and the Regional Initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labor held the “Expert Forum: Children and Adolescents on the Road” in Costa Rica at the end of July, which aimed to gather representatives of Ministries of Labor, employers 'and workers' organizations, United Nations (UN) agencies, and experts to analyze the link between child labor and the migration of children and adolescents from Central America and Mexico.

During this event, the ILO validated a series of materials that summarize some of the research carried out on the subject, so that those interested may know and understand what leads a child and adolescent from the northern triangle of Central America to migrate. Likewise, these materials explain the dangers to which they are exposed and call to reflect on the importance of joint, articulated and immediate action to ensure respect for the rights of children and adolescents in this condition.

The recent materials shared are: "On the Route of Illusions", "When I grow up I want to be ... Guatemala, perception of indigenous peoples about child labor in the migratory context" and "When I grow up I want to be ... Honduras, perception of indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples on child labor in the migratory context ”.

For example, “On the Route of Illusions” shows how between 2012 and 2014 the number of migrant adolescents between 14 and 17 years old who travel unaccompanied increased and that the conditions in which they do so are precarious and risky; However, their expectations of getting a job that will help them improve their conditions and help their family are stronger, making them possible victims of the worst forms of child labor.

It should be noted that this study maintains that a large percentage of this migrant population comes from indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant populations and that many are residents of rural areas or of migrant families. To find out the perceptions of this group, the brochures “When I grow up I want to be…” from Guatemala and Honduras point out, from the voice of indigenous and Afro-descendant children and adolescents and leaders, how they understand and link child labor the migratory phenomenon; in addition, they offer some proposals to solve this risk situation.

With the presentation of the informative materials, the ILO encourages each of the actors involved from the public and private sectors, businessmen, workers and civil society to generate new content that helps to deepen knowledge on the subject and help to implement better and innovative alternatives that stop and prevent the informal migration of children and adolescents in vulnerable situations.

The summaries can be found at the following links:

"On the Route of Illusions":  http://www.iniciativa2025alc.org/sites/default/files/ti-migracion-adolescentes14-17-resumen.pdf

"When I get older I want to be…":                                                          

• Guatemala. Indigenous peoples' perception of child labor in the migratory context: http://www.iniciativa2025alc.org/sites/default/files/ti-migracion-guatemala-resumen.pdf

• Honduras. Perception of indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples on child labor in the migratory context: http://www.iniciativa2025alc.org/sites/default/files/ti-migracion-honduras-resumen.pdf

The full versions of each study will be available soon and can be found in the Regional Initiative library:  http://www.iniciativa2025alc.org/es/biblioteca-virtual