No, child labor under 14 is illegal in Peru under the Código del Niño y Adolescente (Law No. 27337), which aligns with ILO Convention 138. Exceptions exist only for light work in family enterprises, strictly supervised by the Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo (MTPE) and Defensoría del Pueblo, with 2026 reforms tightening enforcement.
Key Regulations for Child Labor Under 14 in Peru
- Absolute Prohibition: Article 51 of the Código del Niño y Adolescente bans employment for children under 14, with penalties up to 10 UIT (S/51,500 in 2024) for violators.
- Light Work Exceptions: Children aged 12–13 may engage in trabajo familiar (family-based, non-hazardous work) only if approved by MTPE, limited to 4 hours daily and 24 weekly, excluding school hours.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The Plan Nacional de Acción por la Infancia y Adolescencia 2026 mandates digital age-verification systems for employers and unannounced inspections by SUNAFIL in high-risk sectors (agriculture, mining, domestic service).
Enforcement prioritizes urban informal sectors and rural areas, where cultural norms often normalize early labor. The Defensoría del Pueblo reports 12,450 child labor cases in 2023, with 68% in agriculture. Employers must maintain age records and cooperate with MTPE’s Programa de Erradicación del Trabajo Infantil (PETI).