A/HRC/11/7/Add.2 page 14 44. In addition, during a visit to a shelter for migrant children in Tapachula, run by DIF in the state of Chiapas, the Special Rapporteur arrived at the centre, with a capacity to provide shelter for over 100 children, to find only 2 boys housed there. It was unclear why the shelter was empty, considering the significant number of migrant children found on the streets and that shelter space is limited. Information gathered at meetings suggested that authorities working with DIF in Chiapas, advised of the visit of the Special Rapporteur, removed the children housed in the shelter, and carried out extra preparations so that the shelter would be in good condition. It was suggested that, should any minors give the impression that their conditions were less than desirable, their absence would be ensured during the visit of the Special Rapporteur. 2. Child labour 45. Child labour is prohibited nationally as well as internationally. Nevertheless, the Special Rapporteur observed rampant violations of this prohibition, with regard to child migrants from other countries as well as those Mexican children who have migrated internally. Although figures are inconclusive due to the clandestine nature of child labour, it is estimated that more than 100,000 children (nationals and non-nationals) under the age of 16 work in the Mexican agricultural industry. This is evident in the western states on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Moreover, children under the age of 16 can be found working in the mining industry, as well as in domestic service in the central and southern parts of Mexico; alarming violations of the rights of girls in the domestic sphere were specifically reported. 46. These violations are acute in the case of indigenous Mexican children who have migrated internally and migrant minors from Guatemala. The Special Rapporteur heard accounts of a “word of mouth” labour market where employers exchanged information on where and how to buy “servants” in Tapachula to work in Mexico City, or in Guatemala to take across the northern border of Mexico. 47. Migrant children form part of a sobering phenomenon of street children and children engaged in prostitution, confirmed by the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography who visited Mexico in May 2007. In his report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/7/8/Add.2), the Special Rapporteur noted that “these problems should be viewed in the context of the pressures exerted on local society as a whole by the presence of a large immigrant population. The fact that more and more children are in the street, using drugs or involved in illegal migrant smuggling or drug trafficking only increases their vulnerability and exacerbates the likelihood of their becoming victims of sexual exploitation”.2 2 The Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Juan Miguel Petit, visited bars and other popular night spots in Tijuana, both during the day and at night. He was informed that groups of minors were involved in the local sex trade and that there was a proliferation of other businesses employing minors who provided sexual services, such as massage parlours, beauty salons, spas and escort or modelling agencies. All of these operate outside the public health inspection system, since they are not registered as establishments providing sexual services. There is therefore no information on the number of minors employed and the conditions in which they work (see A/HRC/7/8/Add.2, paragraphs 47-59).